The Steelers wrapped up their preparation for Monday's Wild Card Round game against the Buffalo Bills, practicing indoors on Friday at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex after working at Acrisure Stadium the last two days.
It comes as no surprise linebacker T.J. Watt has been ruled out for the game after suffering a knee injury in the regular season finale against the Baltimore Ravens.
While not having Watt, the NFL's sack leader, is a big blow to the Steelers defense, the team is getting back multiple players at the right time. Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, who missed the last three games with a knee injury, was a full participant in practice and is ready to go.
"I think it's good any time you get one of your best players back in the fold," said defensive coordinator Teryl Austin of having Fitzpatrick back. "He's a major communicator back there and does a lot of things for us.
"I'm excited to have him back."
The team also has safety Damontae Kazee back after he missed the last three games suspended. Austin said they will make a plan on how those returning, and those who have been filling in, will be used this week, but also remain light on their feet.
"We will kind of figure that out as we go in terms of what we think is best for this game," said Austin. "I think they're all going to play, all have a role. What that role is, we'll have to wait and see on Sunday."
Cornerback Chandon Sullivan is happy to welcome Fitzpatrick and Kazee back into the fold, knowing the healthier they are in the secondary, the better.
"We're ascending in the right direction and we're getting healthy," said Sullivan. "We're able to mesh and gel when we need to and just play good ball."
Fitzpatrick is the quarterback of the secondary and his return is something that is hard to measure.
"It means everything," said Sullivan. "That's a leader of our defense, our captain. It means everything. It feels like it's been so long since we've all been healthy at one time. So, for us to be in the playoffs, the timing is perfect."
While the secondary is intact this week, they are well aware of what Watt's absence means to the unit overall and are ready to do their part to help compensate for it.
"We have to do it as a unit," said Sullivan. "We're missing the NFL's sack leader, so everybody's got to step up and try to find and create new ways to get pressure. I think we'll get the job done."
Among those who will be called upon to bring the pressure are outside linebackers Markus Golden and Nick Herbig.
Austin said he had a simple message for them.
"Let's go, baby. That's the message. Let's go," said Austin. "Those guys, we got those guys here for a reason, Markus and Nick. Obviously, we drafted Nick and Markus we signed. But we got those guys for this reason, in case we do lose one of our guys outside.
"We've been in this position. We were in this position last year and I don't think we were ready or had as much depth behind T.J. as we would like.
"But I think we have two solid guys this year. We all know they're not going to be T.J. T.J is a one-of-a-kind guy. We like the mental makeup and the way they play and temperament and all these things. It will give us some positives there."
Everyone in the locker room has the utmost confidence both players will step up and as a unit, they are capable of getting the job done.
"I don't think you can go up to anybody in this locker room and think that they're blinking because Markus Golden and Nick are about to get their opportunity," said inside linebacker Elandon Roberts. "Don't get me wrong. We're not taking anything away from T.J. But I think even with T.J.'s leadership, he would want us to have full confidence in them.
"I mean, we are down the Defensive Player of the Year this week in this game. Defensive Player of the Year. The Defensive Player of the Year this year should be, quote me on that, out this game. And I have full confidence in Markus Golden and Nick to do their job and do it very well."
The full injury report is below.
Pittsburgh Steelers Participation/Injury Report, Wild Card Week
Game Status
No. 90 LB T.J. Watt (Knee) - Out
Friday, January 12
No. 22 RB Najee Harris (Knee) - Full
No. 39 S Minkah Fitzpatrick (Knee) - Full
No. 50 LB Elandon Roberts (Pectoral) - Full
No. 73 G Isaac Seumalo (Shoulder) - DNP
No. 90 LB T.J. Watt (Knee) - DNP
Thursday, January 11
No. 22 RB Najee Harris (Knee) - Full
No. 39 S Minkah Fitzpatrick (Knee) - Full
No. 50 LB Elandon Roberts (Pectoral) - Full
No. 73 G Isaac Seumalo (Shoulder) - Full
No. 90 LB T.J. Watt (Knee) - DNP
No. 97 DT Cam Heyward (NIR - Resting) - Limited
Wednesday, January 10
No. 20 DB Patrick Peterson (NIR - Resting) - Limited
No. 22 RB Najee Harris (Knee) - DNP
No. 39 S Minkah Fitzpatrick (Knee) - Full
No. 50 LB Elandon Roberts (Pectoral) - Limited
No. 73 G Isaac Seumalo (Shoulder) - DNP
No. 90 LB T.J. Watt (Knee) - DNP
No. 97 DT Cam Heyward (NIR - Resting) - Limited
No. 99 DE Larry Ogunjobi (NIR - Resting) - Limited
Buffalo Bills Participation/Injury Report, Wild Card Week
Game Status
No. 13 WR Gabe Davis (Knee) - Out
No. 25 LB Tyrel Dodson (Shoulder) - Questionable
No. 31 CB Rasul Douglas (Knee) - Questionable
No. 20 S Taylor Rapp (Calf) - Out
Friday, January 12
No. 17 QB Josh Allen (Neck) - Full
No. 73 T Dion Dawkins (Hand) - Full
No. 13 WR Gabe Davis (Knee) - DNP
No. 25 LB Tyrel Dodson (Shoulder) - Limited
No. 31 CB Rasul Douglas (Knee) - DNP
No. 56 DE Leonard Floyd (NIR - Resting) - Full
No. 26 RB Ty Johnson (Concussion) - Limited
No. 3 S Damar Hamlin (Shoulder) - Full
No. 23 S Micah Hyde (Neck) - Full
No. 40 LB Von Miller (NIR - Resting) - Full
No. 20 S Taylor Rapp (Calf) - DNP
No. 88 TE Dawson Knox (Illness) - Full
Thursday, January 11
No. 17 QB Josh Allen (Neck) - Full
No. 73 T Dion Dawkins (Hand) - DNP
No. 13 WR Gabe Davis (Knee) - DNP
No. 25 LB Tyrel Dodson (Shoulder) - DNP
No. 31 CB Rasul Douglas (Knee) - DNP
No. 56 DE Leonard Floyd (NIR - Resting) - Full
No. 26 RB Ty Johnson (Concussion) - Limited
No. 3 S Damar Hamlin (Shoulder) - Full
No. 23 S Micah Hyde (Neck) - Full
No. 40 LB Von Miller (NIR - Resting) - Full
No. 20 S Taylor Rapp (Calf) - DNP
No. 11 WR Deonte Harty (Personal) - DNP
No. 88 TE Dawson Knox (Illness) - DNP
Wednesday, January 10
No. 17 QB Josh Allen (Neck) - Full
No. 73 T Dion Dawkins (Hand) - Limited
No. 13 WR Gabe Davis (Knee) - DNP
No. 25 LB Tyrel Dodson (Shoulder) - Limited
No. 31 CB Rasul Douglas (Knee) - DNP
No. 56 DE Leonard Floyd (NIR - Resting) - DNP
No. 26 RB Ty Johnson (Concussion) - Limited
No. 3 S Damar Hamlin (Shoulder) - Full
No. 23 S Micah Hyde (Neck) - Full
No. 40 LB Von Miller (NIR - Resting) - DNP
No. 20 S Taylor Rapp (Calf) - DNP
The Bills conducted a walk-through practice on Wednesday**
