Minkah Fitzpatrick did not practice four days after an emergency appendectomy.
According to the injury report, six others joined him in sitting out the Pittsburgh Steelers’ first practice of the week.
Inside linebacker Devin Bush sat out because of a knee injury that had not previously been made public. Also not practicing were defensive lineman Larry Ogunjobi, starting left guard Kevin Dotson, cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon, reserve offensive lineman Trent Scott and special-teamer Marcus Allen.
Ogunjobi has been limited at times in recent weeks because of a knee injury, Dotson missed practice time last week because of a hip injury and Witherspoon has missed five of the past six games because of a hamstring injury. Scott (back) and Allen (illness) are new to the injury report.
Two of the Steelers’ biggest-name players, outside linebacker T.J. Watt (pectoral) and running back Najee Harris (knee), each were listed on the injury report but both practiced fully. Watt returned to action last week after missing the prior seven games after suffering a torn pectoral muscle in the season opener at the Cincinnati Bengals.
The Steelers host the Bengals in the rematch at 4:25 p.m. Sunday at Acrisure Stadium.
Fitzpatrick missed this past Sunday’s home win against the New Orleans Saints in a game played less than 24 hours after having his appendix removed, but coach Mike Tomlin on Tuesday expressed optimism Fitzpatrick could play against the Bengals. Fitzpatrick on Wednesday was photographed running and working out on his own.
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