Steelers news: Minkah Fitzpatrick voted team MVP, two players questionable vs Browns, and more

Pittsburgh is gearing up for an all-important season finale against the Cleveland Browns. Here’s the latest Steelers news you need to know heading into the weekend. 

It all comes down to this. After a gut-wrenching 2-6 start to the season, the Pittsburgh Steelers have clawed their way back into the playoff hunt. It will take a win this week as well as losses from the Patriots and Dolphins to get into the tournament, but there is a reasonable chance this happens.

The biggest news out of Pittsburgh this week had to do with the health of their team, as six starters and eight total players missed at least one day of practice this week with injuries. We are gearing up for what could prove to be the most important Sunday of the season for Mike Tomlin and his team, and here is the latest Steelers news ahead of their Week 18 game against the Cleveland Browns.

Steelers news

On Friday afternoon, the Pittsburgh Steelers announced that Minkah Fitzpatrick had been voted as the Steelers Team MVP for the 2022 season. While some speculated that this honor could have gone to Cameron Heyward or Alex Highsmith, Fitzpatrick nabbing this award didn’t come as a surprise.

T.J. Watt had previously earned this honor in three straight seasons, but the reigning Defensive Player of the Year spent roughly half of the 2022 season on injured reserve. Meanwhile, Minkah is having a career year that includes 86 tackles and 11 pass defenses to go with a league-leading 6 interceptions. This was a much-deserved honor from the All-Pro safety as he continues down what could be a Hall of Fame path.

More Steelers news

The Steelers injury report has been discouraging all week. While none of their injuries are believed to be overly serious, you would have liked to have seen each of their starters log a full week of practice prior to the final game of the season. Instead, six starters missed at least one practice this week because of injuries.

Fortunately, only one player — defensive back, Tre Norwood — has been officially ruled out for this Week 18 contest. However, it’s worth noting that Fitzpatrick and Myles Jack were only able to log a limited practice on Friday. Their statuses won’t be confirmed until Pittsburgh releases their inactive list before the game, but both are expected to suit up in a must-win game this week.

NFL news

After the Bills vs Bengals game was rightfully postponed when safety Damar Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest, the NFL recently determined that this contest has officially been canceled. This is an interesting decision that led to a number of questions.

Technically, Buffalo had a chance to nab steal the number one seed from Kansas City. Because the Bills will finish the season with one fewer game played, the NFL has given the top seed in the AFC to the Chiefs. However, they determined that if the Bills and Chiefs meet in the AFC Championship, this game will take place on a neutral playing field — not at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City.