The Steelers got another key piece of their defense back on Thursday as All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick was activated off the Reserve/COVID-19 List after missing the team's 41-37 loss to the Chargers last Sunday.
Fitzpatrick is expected to be available for the Steelers (5-4-1) for their game Sunday in Cincinnati against the Bengals (6-4).
"I'm happy about it, I'll tell you that right now," said Keith Butler. "I'm real happy about it. With the possibility of getting the other guys back, too. That always helps. We were down a couple of people the last time we played them, too. Having those guys back and be able to play means a lot to us."
The other guys to which Butler referred would be All-Pro outside linebacker T.J. Watt and cornerback Joe Haden. Watt was a limited participant in practice on Wednesday as he returns from a knee/hip injury, while Haden, who did not practice Wednesday, was out with a foot issue.
The Steelers remain hopeful to have all three back on the field against the Bengals, who beat them 24-10 in Week 3 in a game in which Watt and fellow outside linebacker Alex Highsmith both missed because of groin injuries.
Watt was limited again for the second consecutive practice on Thursday, as was Haden.
Fitzpatrick was placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 List Nov. 15, a day after the Steelers tied the Lions 16-16 at Heinz Field in a game missed by quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who also was on the COVID-19 list.
Fitzpatrick leads the Steelers with 44 solo tackles and is second overall with 64 behind linebacker Joe Schobert's 67 total tackles.
With Fitzpatrick, Watt and Haden out last week against the Chargers, the Steelers allowed season-highs in points and yardage (533). The yardage total was the most the team has allowed in a game since 2013.
Rookie Tre Norwood made his first career start at free safety in place of Fitzpatrick.
