PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – A half-dozen Steelers ruled out Sunday, most are starters and all but one on the defense.
Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick returned from a concussion last week to play full, but it’s a recurring knee injury that will keep him out against Tampa Bay on Sunday. The good news is that safety Terrell Edmunds returns from the concussion protocol.
At corner-three starters are out, against Tom Brady. Cameron Sutton (hamstring), Levi Wallace (concussion) and Ahkello Witherspoon (hamstring). Huge losses, meaning the Steelers starting secondary Sunday likely will be Edmunds, Tre Norwood, Josh Jackson and James Pierre.
Mixed news on the defensive line with Larry Ogunjobi practicing only on Friday, but will play as he deals with a back injury. Montravius Adams missed Wednesday’s practice due to a hip injury, but practiced full Thursday and Friday. Rookie DeMarvin Leal, who has been given a bigger role in recent weeks suffered a knee injury in practice and is out.
Brighter news on offense, as they told us on Thursday, TE Zach Gentry and WR Diontae Johnson will play despite missing some time this week, but starter Pat Freiermuth is out due to a concussion. Rookie Connor Heyward will get a bigger role.
Center Mason Cole hasn’t taken many reps this week, but will start against a veteran Bucs defensive line.
“I haven’t been injured a whole lot, but I’ve been in the position where I had to take mental reps,” Cole said. “I think I did a good job managing that and being able to use mental reps to be able to prepare myself.”