Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick addresses heated moment with Diontae Johnson after Browns game

Pittsburgh Steelers (7-4) safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, making his first comments to the media Friday since being sidelined with a hamstring injury, addressed the reported heated argument between he and receiver Diontae Johnson following the 13-10 Week 11 loss to the Cleveland Browns (7-4).

Fitzpatrick said that the spat is an example of brothers fighting and the team is moving forward.

Minkah Fitzpatrick hasn’t talked while sidelined with the hamstring injury, so today he addressed the heated moments between him and WR Diontae Johnson post-Browns.

“We're a brotherhood. Brothers fight. I got a younger brother, me and him butt heads sometimes. Sometimes I put… pic.twitter.com/n3b0hk9Kqa

— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) December 1, 2023

“We’re a brotherhood. Brothers fight,” Fitzpatrick said, via Brooke Pryor of ESPN. “I got a younger brother, me and him butt heads sometimes. Sometimes I put him in a headlock. And sometimes he’s got to give me a little push or shove just to let him me know he’s there. It’s a brotherhood. That’s how we love each other sometimes. And at the end of the day, we all make amends. We move forward and chase the same goal together.”

Per Adam Schefter of ESPN, team veterans Cameron Heyward and T.J. Watt broke up the altercation and delivered a message that the team needed to stick together. Pittsburgh responded the following week by picking up a 16-10 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals (5-6).

Minkah Fitzpatrick set to return for Steelers

Fitzpatrick, the three-time All-Pro, has been sidelined for the past four games with a hamstring injury. The 27-year-old is tied for second on the Steelers with 54 tackles (37 solo). Adams has missed the last three games with an ankle injury. He has amassed 21 tackles (10 solo), two tackles for loss and a forced fumble this season.

Fitzpatrick has been a full participant in practice this week and expects to play Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals (2-10).

“It’s one of those injuries where you can feel great and then you go out there and you run and it’s still not 110 [percent], and then you can go out there and feel great and then you might pop some scar tissue or tweak it a little bit,” Fitzpatrick said. “And especially as a DB, receiver or running back, something like that, you don’t want to be out there until you’re 110 and you can play at full go. That’s one of those things you got to take your time with, be patient.”

With Fitzpatrick out and fellow safety Keanu Neal on the reserve/injured reserve list, Trenton Thompson received an elevation from the practice squad against Cincinnati. Thompson recorded five tackles and an interception in the win.