ALTOONA, Pa. -- Another hit came to an already depth-tested secondary as Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick tested positive for COVID-19 Monday.
Fitzpatrick, who is vaccinated, joins quarterback Ben Roethlisberger on the Reserve-COVID list meaning he will need to be symptom free and have two negative tests before he's able to rejoin the team.
The University of Alabama product was slated to speak with the media at noon on Monday and was unable to do do so as a result of his positive test.
A fourth-year player, Fitzpatrick joins a multitude of players on the Steelers' roster that are in doubt of playing Sunday night against the Los Angeles Chargers. He and Roethlisberger are the lone members of the Reserve-Covid list, but the injury list got deeper by the down Sunday against the Lions.
Fellow defenders T.J. Watt and Joe Haden were injured against Detroit and could be out against the Chargers. Those losses piled onto the losses of Tyson Alualu and Stephon Tuitt already make for a bleak outlook defensively moving forward should Fitzpatrick or any of the players hurt Sunday miss extended periods of time.
On the offensive side offensive linemen Kevin Dotson and Trai Turner joined Chase Claypool on the injury report Sunday.
Should Fitzpatrick be unable to play, Tre Norwood would most likely play in his place.
Fitzpatrick is in his third season with the Steelers after being acquired in 2019 from the Miami Dolphins for Pittsburgh's 2020 first and fourth picks as well as their sixth round pick in 2021. Since being acquired, Fitzpatrick has provided consistency to the backend of the Steelers secondary.
Through nine games, Fitzpatrick has accumulated 64 tackles, one pass deflection and a forced fumble while yet to secure an interception thus far.
