Steelers Injury Updates: Four Key Starters Dealing With Injuries

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers are still dealing with several injury issues on the defense, and George Pickens and Minkah Fitzpatrick headline the daily injuries. But Pickens returned to practice in a limited capacity. However, Fitzpatrick remains out with a nagging hamstring injury.

Fitzpatrick, along with Montravius Adams, were players who had missed multiple weeks and were hoping to come back. Adams returned to practice on Wednesday for the first time since his ankle injury against the Tennessee Titans on Nov. 2nd. He practiced in a limited capacity on Thursday as well.

Fitzpatrick has been out since suffering his injury midway through the Steelers’ Week 9 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. He has missed three straight games. Damontae Kazee moved from strong safety to free safety to replace him, with Keanu Neal stepping up from a part-time role to a full-time role to replace Kazee in the first two games of Fitzpatrick’s absence.

But Neal was injured late in the Week 10 win over Green Bay, and was placed on the injured reserve list Saturday with a rib injury. He will miss at least the next three games.

Trenton Thompson was the third man up at strong safety, making his first career start against the Cleveland Browns. Elijah Riley played as the Dime defensive back, but he suffered a high ankle sprain against the Browns and was placed on IR this week. He will miss at least the next four games.

James Pierre (shoulder) and Nick Herbig (hamstring) had new injuries but were limited for the second straight day. Cam Heyward continued to manage a groin injury and was limited.

STEELERS INJURY REPORT