Steelers Injury Updates: S Minkah Fitzpatrick Limited in Practice, Expected to Play

Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick was limited from the team’s practice on Wednesday while dealing with cramps in his lower leg, the team announced as apart of its league injury report.

Fitzpatrick was not given an injury designation for the team’s Thursday Night Football game against the Cleveland Browns, and temperatures for the game on Thursday night are forecast to be in the low 60s — a long way from the mid-to-high 80s of Pittsburgh on Wednesday.

Fitzpatrick has played 100% of the Steelers’ defensive snaps in the first two games, so him being less than fully healthy could certainly be an issue for the Pittsburgh defense on Thursday.

With Damontae Kazee on the injured reserve list (and now suspended), Tre Norwood would take over at free safety if Fitzpatrick needs any plays off on Thursday. Kazee will miss the next three games while suspended.

Inside linebacker Devin Bush was a full participant on Wednesday and should be good to go after being injured in Sunday’s loss to the New England Patriots. Bush was estimated to have been limited on Monday, but was a full participant on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Outside linebacker T.J. Watt will miss his second game as part of the minimum of four he must spend on the injured reserve list. Rookie wide receiver Calvin Austin III will miss his third game and could return to practice as soon as Monday.

The Browns ruled defensive end Jadeveon Clowney out earlier in the week, and placed defensive end Chase Winovich and tight end Jesse James on the injured reserve list this week.

Guard Joel Bitonio (biceps), tackle Jack Conklin (knee), defensive end Myles Garrett (neck), and tackle Chris Hubbard (illness) all do not have an injury status and are expected to play despite being limited in practice on Wednesday. Tight end Harrison Bryant (thumb, thigh) and defensive end Isaiah Thomas (hand) were full participants on Wednesday.