Minkah Fitzpatrick showed genuine grit during the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Week 13 loss to the Arizona Cardinals, which is a credit to his perseverance. The Pro Bowl safety had an extra obstacle to overcome as he played into the second half with a fractured left hand. He was returning after missing four games due to a hamstring ailment.
Fitzpatrick sustained the hand injury in the first half and utilized the extended halftime due to weather conditions to have the injury casted. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin confirmed the situation after the game, commending Fitzpatrick’s determination.
Despite the challenging circumstances, Tomlin did not provide clarity on whether Fitzpatrick’s latest injury would keep him sidelined in the upcoming games. Further updates on Fitzpatrick’s status are expected during Tomlin’s weekly press conference on Monday.
The Steelers’ Sunday game resulted in several injuries. Elandon Roberts, the inside linebacker, was injured in the groin and did not return for the second half. Isaac Seumalo, the center, departed the game due to a shoulder injury, while quarterback Kenny Pickett was injured in his ankle.
Notably, star outside linebacker T.J. Watt appeared to be struggling with an injury during the second half and was receiving attention from the medical staff. The Steelers are facing a major issue as a result of the rising number of injuries, especially considering the short turnaround time before their game on Thursday night against the New England Patriots.
Tomlin said, “We need to look no further than the mirror,” emphasizing the importance of introspection and acting quickly. We didn’t do it today. And we’ve got a short week. So no time to feel sorry for ourselves and things of that nature. We’ve got fast business approaching.”
Fitzpatrick’s resilience in playing through adversity adds another layer to the Steelers’ narrative as they navigate a demanding season.
