Steelers' Minkah Fitzpatrick says he's playing after missing 4 games - ESPN

PITTSBURGH — For the first time in more than a month, Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick expects to suit up and take the field on Sunday.

Fitzpatrick, who has been sidelined since he injured his hamstring against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Oct. 29, told reporters Friday he would play against the Arizona Cardinals and that he feels «great.»

Fitzpatrick has been a full participant in practice all week, the first time he's participated since sustaining the hamstring injury. «It's one of those injuries where you can feel great and then you go out there and you run and it's still not 110 [percent], and then you can go out there and feel great and then you might pop some scar tissue or tweak it a little bit,» Fitzpatrick said. «And especially as a DB, receiver or running back, something like that, you don't want to be out there until you're 110 [percent] and you can play at full go. That's one of those things you got to take your time with, be patient.»

While sidelined, Fitzpatrick focused on being a vocal leader, still finding a way to actively participate on gameday. Against the Green Bay Packers, Fitzpatrick alerted defensive backs coach Grady Brown and defensive coordinator Teryl Austin to a necessary adjustment that kept the Packers from scoring a last-minute, game-winning touchdown. And after the Browns loss, Fitzpatrick got into a heated argument with wide receiver Diontae Johnson in the locker room.

«We're a brotherhood,» Fitzpatrick said, addressing the spat for the firs time Friday. «Brothers fight. I got a younger brother, me and him butt heads sometimes. Sometimes I put him in a headlock. And sometimes he's got to give me a little push or shove just to let him me know he's there. It's a brotherhood.