Steelers Injury Updates: Fitzpatrick Limited, Jack Could Return

The Pittsburgh Steelers are entering the final week of the regular season relatively healthy, as head coach Mike Tomlin detailed the injury list on Tuesday said the team only had two new injuries in its Week 17 win over the Baltimore Ravens and didn’t rule any players out for Week 18 against the Cleveland Browns.

Free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick suffered an ankle injury in the third quarter against the Ravens, but was able to return and caught the game-sealing interception. Tomlin said that Fitzpatrick will likely be limited in practice this week, but should be expected to play on Sunday.

Cornerback James Pierre left the game in the first quarter and did not return while being evaluated for a head injury. Tomlin confirmed that Pierre is in the NFL concussion protocol, but did not rule out a return for Pierre this week.

Inside linebacker Myles Jack has been dealing with a groin injury, and was limited in the week of practice leading up to the trip to Baltimore. He started the game, but was unable to finish it thanks to an aggravation of that injury.

But Tomlin said that the new injury is not major and that Jack could return to the lineup this week for the regular season finale.

“We’ll put him back in that same process of being optimistic about his inclusion,” Tomlin said. “We’ll see where the week leads us.”

Tomlin did not mention backup defensive back Tre Norwood, who missed the game with a hamstring injury, and cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon, who returned to practice while on the injured reserve list with a hamstring injury last week.