The worst of injury-related fears came to a head of reality on Friday, as the Steelers' final injury report before kickoff against Tampa Bay includes six players out, including star safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, who will miss Sunday's action while nursing a knee injury.
The secondary is the group hit the hardest by these injuries, with four members ruled out by the team: Fitzpatrick, CB Cam Sutton (hamstring), CB Ahkello Witherspoon (hamstring), CB Levi Wallace (concussion).
Also ruled out for Pittsburgh include tight end Pat Freiermuth (concussion), and defensive end DeMarvin Leal, the latter of which was a new add to the injury report as he did not practice with a knee injury.
The good news regarding the secondary is that safety Terrell Edmunds officially logged three days of full practice in a row, and is expected to play on Sunday.
Wide receiver Diontae Johnson (hip) logged his second day of full participation in a row, after being limited on Wednesday. TE Zach Gentry (knee) and DT Montravious Adams (hip) each practiced in full on Thursday and Friday, after not practicing on Wednesday. DT Larry Ogunjobi (back) practiced in full on Friday after sitting out the previous two days:
The #Steelers injury report is here. Six players are OUT on Sunday against the Buccaneers: pic.twitter.com/mZVh5dOJVG
— Corey Crisan (@cdcrisan) October 14, 2022
The injuries to the secondary mean more playing time for cornerbacks James Pierre, Josh Jackson -- each of which likely to earn starts -- and Arthur Maulet, along with safety Tre Norwood expected to slot in for Fitzpatrick. Isaiahh Loudermilk confirmed on Friday that he is expecting to play this weekend, with depth needed on the defensive line with Leal out and with Ogunjobi still ailing.
"We're kind of banged up in some places right now, so as of right now, I'm preparing to play," Loudermilk said on Friday on the South Side. "So I'm definitely looking forward to finally getting a hat. As of right now, I'm expecting to play, and my opportunity's here, so I've just got to make the most of it and make sure I help the team."
Loudermilk has been inactive each week and has not played in a game since the AFC Wild Card round of last year's playoffs against Kansas City. Last season, Loudermilk registered 23 total tackles and a sack while playing in 15 games.
"It has been tough watching," Loudermilk said. "It's always tough when you can't go out there and play. That's the fun of the game, is the game, when it comes that time. Go out and have fun, play, and play to win. For me, I just learned that I've got to take advantage of any opportunity that I get, but at the same time, it's going to be time to dive into certain things that I need to do better, certain things that I see guys doing, that I kind of need to add to my game. I've been able to add things here and there, just little nuggets of knowledge on and off the field, but I'm excited to get the hat and be able to transfer that."
Jackson confirmed he ran with the first-team defense on Friday in practice. He played 26 snaps last week against Buffalo.
"DB, you've always got to be ready," Jackson said. "They can always call you up. You can always go in at any point in the game, so I think just preparing like you're a starter every week is the best way to -- if you're not starting -- to prepare for a week that you might be able to play in. Whenever you are starting, you still got to prepare the same way and be ready."
Norwood has played in each of the Steelers' five games this season, and he earned a start last week against Buffalo.
"However much is needed from me. That's my biggest thing," Norwood said. "I just make sure that I'm aware that I'm supposed to prepare each and every day. Preparing like I'm going to play every snap of the game. That's always been my mindset, so it's just making sure I go out there, all of the guys on the back-end, we're rallying together. having that communication from Snap 1 to the last snap of the game, that's going to be very vital for us."
