Steelers Rule Two Defensive Starters Out vs. Seahawks

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers have ruled two defensive starters out for their must-win game against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 17.

The Steelers announced on Friday that free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and inside linebacker Elandon Roberts will both miss the game. Strong safety Trenton Thompson had already said he will not play. Quarterback Kenny Pickett is questionable.

Fitzpatrick was injured in the second quarter of the Steelers’ Week 15 loss to the Indianapolis Colts in Week 15. He has not yet returned to practice, though he has started to jog and do stretches on his injured left knee.

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Fitzpatrick will once again be replaced by cornerback Patrick Peterson, who has been playing out of position at free safety ever since Fitzpatrick went down against the Colts. Usual backup Damontae Kazee has been suspended for the rest of the 2023 season for a hit he made one play before Fitzpatrick’s injury in Indianapolis.

Practice squad veteran Eric Rowe will be the other safety, as Keanu Neal (rib) remains on the injured reserve list and Trenton Thompson (neck stinger) is out this week and next week. Elijah Riley and Miles Killbrew will be the depth options at the position this week.

Roberts has been out since he suffered a pectoral injury in the team’s Week 16 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. He did not practice at all this week and will miss his first game since the end of the 2020 season.

Myles Jack, another veteran from the practice squad, will replace Roberts, and become the 14th different player to start at safety or inside linebacker for the Steelers this season. A combination of Blake Martinez, Mark Robinson and Mykal Walker will man the other spot next to Jack, who is expected to wear the green dot communication helmet for the defense.

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