After signing a long extension with the Pittsburgh Steelers this offseason, Minkah Fitzpatrick will miss the start of training camp after hurting himself on vacation in an unusual way.
Head coach Mike Tomlin told reporters that the Pro Bowl safety has been placed on the non-football injury list, hurting his wrist after falling off his bike. Tomlin added that the injury doesn’t seem serious and Fitzpatrick is expected to return soon.
#Steelers HC Mike Tomlin said star safety Minkah Fitzpatrick fell off a bike and injured his wrist. Team doesn't believe it's anything serious but he will begin camp on the non-football injury list.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) July 26, 2022
Fitzpatrick, 25, is coming off a new contract he signed with the Steelers worth $73.6 million and $36 million guaranteed with an $18.4 million annual salary. That dollar amount makes Fitzpatrick the highest-paid safety in the NFL.
In a year of uncertainty at the quarterback position, the Steelers will need Fitzpatrick to live up to every bit of that contract. If history is any indicator, Fitzpatrick will have no problem living up to the task, earning All-Pro honors in each of his first two seasons in Pittsburgh and has been making play after play on the field.
He will have a big role alongside reigning Defensive Player of the Year T.J. Watt this season and will include several new pieces, including former Jaguars linebacker Myles Jack and former Bills cornerback Levi Wallace.
