PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Steelers free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick was at the team’s practice on Wednesday, just four days after having appendectomy surgery.
Appendectomies have commonly caused players to miss at least two weeks, but Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said on Tuesday that Fitzpatrick wanted to play on Sunday after having the procedure on Saturday and had already been running. Tomlin did not rule Fitzpatrick out for Sunday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
“Reports regarding Minkah and his inclusion this week are really positive,” Tomlin said. “I know that he’s already been here and run today. I saw him Sunday at the stadium and Minkah wanted to play on Sunday. Obviously, that wasn’t the appropriate thing to do, but that’s just the mentality that he brings in. Oftentimes, when you’re talking about injury or being unavailable, coming back from lack of availability, your attitude has a lot to do with it and so, we’re really optimistic about him.”
Fitzpatrick was seen doing cardio work during the early portion of the practice open to the media. The Steelers will release a full injury report later this afternoon.
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