Pittsburgh Steelers add key defender to Reserve/COVID-19 list

The Pittsburgh Steelers have lost another key player due to COVID-19. Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick has reportedly tested positive for COVID-19, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Fitzpatrick will now be added to the Reserve/COVID-19 list, joining Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.

The loss is another big one for the Steelers. Fitzpatrick is a key player in the secondary. Through nine games this season, Fitzpatrick has 64 total tackles, one forced fumble, and one pass defended.

The former Alabama star is in his third season with the Steelers after beginning his career with the Miami Dolphins. Through 57 career games, Fitzpatrick has 292 total tackles, four forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, 11 interceptions, and 30 passes defended.

The Steelers tied with the Detroit Lions on Sunday, putting their record at 5-3-1. Pittsburgh travels to take on the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday Night Football this week.

Fitzpatrick is lost a day after the Steelers suffered multiple injuries on defense

Pittsburgh’s defense is likely to be very banged up on Sunday night against the Chargers. In addition to Fitzpatrick now being on the Reserve/COVID-19 list, multiple key players went down to injury over the weekend.

Cornerback Joe Haden suffered a foot injury against the Lions. Haden was quickly ruled out following his injury and did not return. Luckily for the Steelers’ Haden is considered day-to-day, so he has a chance to play on Sunday night.

The Steelers also lost star pass rusher TJ Watt to injury against the Lions. Watt suffered both knee and hip injuries on the same play. But, as was the case with Haden, the Steelers have seemingly avoided any sort of major injury with Watt. Watt had MRIs on his knee and hip on Monday, and they came back negative. He is still sore, and his status for Sunday is uncertain. It is possible that Watt doesn’t have to miss any time at all, which would be great news for the Steelers without a key part of the secondary in Fitzpatrick.

Entering the new week, the Steelers are 5-3-1 which puts them at second in the AFC South. Pittsburgh trails the 6-3 Ravens while the 5-4 Bengals and 5-5 Browns are still lurking in the division as well. If the season ended today, the Steelers would finish as the fifth seed in the AFC as the first wildcard team.