Safeties Minkah Fitzpatrick, Trenton Thompson questionable for Steelers vs. Ravens
The drama of who plays at safety for the Pittsburgh Steelers with their season on the line will linger on for at least another day.
All Pro Minkah Fitzpatrick and fill-in starter Trenton Thompson each were deemed questionable to play in Saturday’s Steelers regular-season finale at the Baltimore Ravens, according to the league-mandated injury report.
Fitzpatrick (knee) and Thompson (neck) have missed the past two games after suffering injuries during a Dec. 16 loss at the Indianapolis Colts. Each was listed was a limited practice participant Thursday.
Fitzpatrick began the season playing next to co-starters Damontae Kazee and Keanu Neal at safety, but each of those veterans remains out: Kazee because of suspension and Neal (rib) on injured reserve.
After beginning the season on the practice squad, Thompson emerged as a viable No. 4 safety. But with all four out the past two games, the Steelers moved Patrick Peterson from cornerback and deployed practice-squad call-up Eric Rowe for duties at safety.
Peterson said Wednesday that he practiced with Fitzpatrick, indicating that could be the Steelers’ starting safety pairing Saturday. That would leave Levi Wallace as an every-down outside cornerback.
Given official green lights to play against the Ravens were three starters who missed practice time because of injuries that have afflicted each in recent weeks but not caused any to miss any game time: left guard Isaac Seumalo (shoulder), running back Najee Haris (knee) and defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (groin).
Also listed as questionable for the Steelers was starting inside linebacker Elandon Roberts, who is attempting to come back from a one-game absence because of a pectoral injury. Roberts said that he’s going to play Saturday.
Quarterback Kenny Pickett has no injury designation after practicing fully all week. Coach Mike Tomlin has already said Pickett will back up Mason Rudolph in Baltimore.
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Chris Adamski is a TribLive reporter who has covered primarily the Pittsburgh Steelers since 2014 following two seasons on the Penn State football beat. A Western Pennsylvania native, he joined the Trib in 2012 after spending a decade covering Pittsburgh sports for other outlets. He can be reached at cadamski@triblive.com.
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