Minkah Fitzpatrick was activated off the non-football injury list and was cleared to return to practice for the Pittsburgh Steelers’ training camp session Thursday.
The two-time All-Pro safety had not taken part fully in a practice throughout this camp after he had been put on the NFI list on the reporting day for camp July 26. On that day, coach Mike Tomlin said Fitzpatrick had suffered an injured wrist after falling off his bike while on vacation.
Fitzpatrick’s particiaption in Thursday’s workout was brief.
Fitzpatrick signed a four-year, $73.6 million contract in June. Entering his fifth NFL season and fourth with the Steelers, Fitzpatrick did not take part in team drills during organized team activities and minicamp, as has become custom for star players who are entering the final season of their contracts and due an extension.
The irony that he signed the extension and yet was not able to practice was not lost on Fitzpatrick, who spoke to the media before practice (and before it was announced he’d been cleared to practice) Thursday.
“I was telling Mike the other day, ‘Man, one of the things I didn’t want to do is sit out of camp,’ ” Fitzpatrick said with a smile, “because of contract reasons, and then I end up being hurt being held out of camp. So it’s definitely frustrating, but it is what it is.”
With Diontae Johnson’s signing also announced Thursday, the only player on the Steelers’ 90-man roster who remains not practicing for an official reason is veteran defensive lineman Tyson Alualu, who is on the physically unable to perform list because of knee swelling.
Another veteran defensive lineman, Larry Ogunjobi, has been absent from team drills while he continues to ramp back up following offseason foot surgery, though Ogunjobi is not on any official injury list.
Fitzpatrick was on the field for every practice throughout camp and was working on some individual drills and, at times, was jogging. During team periods, Fitzpatrick commonly watched from where coaches did behind the play, a spot not too far from his regular position as the “center fielder” as a free safety.
Fitzpatrick said he was still getting mental reps and keeping himself in shape during his absence.
“Still, learning, still observing, I still feel like I am out there practicing mentally,” Fitzpatrick said early Thursday. “Staying on top of my cues. I have the playbook in front of me every single snap and am staying on top of everything.”
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