Steelers Suffer Huge Injury Loss; Minkah Fitzpatrick Out vs. Colts

INDIANAPOLIS — Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick suffered an injury in the second quarter of the team’s Week 15 game against the Indianapolis Colts and was forced from the game.

Fitzpatrick collided with teammate Trenton Thompson while breaking up a pass in the second quarter. He stayed down on the field, with trainers examining his left leg.

He walked off the field under his own power, and was taken to the medical tent on the Pittsburgh sideline for further evaluation.

The Steelers announced that Fitzpatrick suffered a knee injury and is questionable to return to the game. After the half, the Steelers ruled him out for the remainder of the game.

The three-time All-Pro safety had already been playing through a broken hand, and had been wearing a cast on his left hand.

One play before Fitzpatrick was injured, Damontae Kazee, who had replaced Fitzpatrick when he was injured earlier in the season, was ejected from the game for a hit on a defenseless receiver.

Cornerback Patrick Peterson moved to free safety to replace Fitzpatrick, with Levi Wallace entering the starting lineup at corner to fill in for Fitzpatrick. Trenton Thompson replaced Kazee at strong safety, and special teamer Miles Killebrew is the only other safety on the roster.

Fitzpatrick has had an injury-plagued season. He missed five games for a hamstring injury in addition to the broken hand and now the knee injury. In his nine games before Saturday, he has made 64 tackles, but has defended just two passes and has no sacks, no forced fumbles, no fumble recoveries and no interceptions.