LAS VEGAS – Pittsburgh Steelers All-Pro free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick suffered a right shoulder injury late in the second quarter of Sunday’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders. Fitzpatrick got up very slowly after trying to tackle tight end Harrison Bryant.
After getting evaluated in the blue medical tent, defensive coordinator Teryl Austin came over to check on Fitzpatrick and got a thumbs up.
Terrell Edmunds, who usually plays strong safety, replaced Fitzpatrick at free safety. The Steelers only dressed one true FS for today’s game. Damontae Kazee is out with an ankle injury.
Fitzpatrick has yet to record an interception. So far, it’s been a continuation of last year when Fitzpatrick did not create a single turnover. In 2022, Fitzpatrick was the NFL’s co-leader in interceptions with six. Fitzpatrick hasn’t forced a turnover since Week 16 of the 2022 season.
Austin thinks the turnovers will eventually come for Minkah Fitzpatrick. The old saying is that turnovers come in bunches.
“Sometimes it’s not happening right now, but I got full confidence because I know what kind of player Minkah is and the more opportunities that he has and the more time he’s back there that those splash plays will come,” Austin said. “I don’t worry about that. I know how he leads our group in terms of the communication and everything working from back there, and it’s a lot smoother. So I think as a unit, we’ve operated really well, really smooth overall, and so the splash will come. I’m not going to get bent out of shape about that at this particular time.”
Alan Saunders contributed reporting from Las Vegas.