Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick was taken to a hospital for evaluation after suffering a chest injury during Monday night’s victory against the Cleveland Browns.
Fitzpatrick apparently was injured while making a desperate lunging tackle on Jerome Ford as the Browns running back approached the goal line at the end of his 69-yard run early in the third quarter. Fitzpatrick’s diving play, initially, wiped out a Ford touchdown – though Cleveland scored two plays later.
The Steelers initially announced that Fitzpatrick was being evaluated for a chest injury. About five minutes later, they ruled him out of the game for good.
JEROME FORD!! 70 YARD!! after taking over for Nick Cobb.
Watson helped with the block too.pic.twitter.com/XEzxmsIjlUhttps://t.co/g5c7uI5k9u
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) September 19, 2023
“Minkah is being evaluated at the hospital with a chest injury,” coach Mike Tomlin said after the game.
Tomlin said he did not have any specifics on the nature of the injury.
“I just know he’s being evaluated as we speak,” Tomlin said about 20 minutes after the 26-22 Steelers win had ended. “I’m sure we’ll have more information for (media) when we talk (during Tuesday’s noon news conference).”
A three-time first-team All Pro, Fitzpatrick had six tackles (five solo) and two passes defended in less than three quarters of play Monday.
The only other Steelers player who did not finish Monday’s game because of injury was receiver Gunner Olszewski, who was being evaluated for a concussion.
Inside linebacker Elandon Roberts briefly left the game because of a neck injury but returned. Quarterback Kenny Pickett was seen favoring his left (non-throwing) shoulder in apparent pain after absorbing a hit just after releasing a throw that became a 71-yard touchdown pass to George Pickens, but Pickett did not miss a snap.
“Just normal bumps and bruises that come with the job,” Pickett said afterwards.
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