Minkah Fitzpatrick

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson looks on from the turf as Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey returns an interception for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

The aching Steelers still control their destiny in the AFC North. Their grasp, however, is slipping

The wiggle room the Pittsburgh Steelers once enjoyed atop the AFC North is gone. The Steelers have dropped two straight to fall to 10-5 after a 34-17 loss to Baltimore, which is now tied with Pittsburgh for the division lead.
 
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts greets Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin after an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)

Eagles shove aside injuries, in-house dissention to celebrate 10-game winning streak

 
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) runs the ball during the second half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)

Jalen Hurts accounts for 3 TDs and Eagles beat Steelers 27-13 for franchise-best 10th straight win

 
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) runs with the ball as Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (39) tries to stop him during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Saquon Barkley slowed by ‘minor’ injury, loses ground in pursuit of Dickerson’s record

 
FILE - Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb looks on during warmups before an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023, in Inglewood, Calif. Speaking for the first time since his 2023 season was ended in Week 2 by a gruesome knee injury at Pittsburgh, Cleveland's star running back said Wednesday, June 5, 2024, that his rehab is on track and he's looking forward to returning to the field for the Browns. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun, File0

Browns running back Nick Chubb makes steady progress in rehab from knee injury, hopes to play in ’24

 

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Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa speaks after an NFL football game, Monday, Jan. 8, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. The Bills defeated the Dolphins 21-14. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

A look at some of Alabama’s top players under retiring coach Nick Saban

 
FILE - Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Tim Settle (99), linebacker Tyler Matakevich (44), guard Connor McGovern (66), center Mitch Morse (60), defensive end Leonard Floyd (56) and running back James Cook (4) lead the team onto the field before an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. Police in South Florida say a man fatally shot a 30-year-old Buffalo Bills fan during an altercation outside Hard Rock Stadium after the Bills defeated the Miami Dolphins in the final regular season game, Sunday. (AP Photo/Doug Murray, File)

Bills host Steelers in AFC wild-card matchup of surging teams

 
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward, left, and Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, right, walk off the field after an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Saturday, Dec. 23, 2023, in Pittsburgh. The Steelers won 34-11. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick is inactive against the Ravens with playoff hopes on the line

 
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Patrick Peterson (20) celebrates his interception in the end zone with teammates Levi Wallace (29) and Keeanu Benton (95) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Saturday, Dec. 23, 2023, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Steelers veteran safety Patrick Peterson has found a willing student in rookie Joey Porter Jr.

 
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph (2) celebrates Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens scoring a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Saturday, Dec. 23, 2023, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Major playoff implications for pair of 8-7 teams as Seahawks play host to Steelers

 
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Jake Browning (6) throws a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Browning, Bengals look to keep the momentum going while reeling Steelers turn to Rudolph

 

Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick says he’ll return from injury, play Sunday vs. Cardinals

 

Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick to miss his third straight game with a hamstring injury

 
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (39) is helped by a trainer after getting injured against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick to miss a second straight game with hamstring injury

 
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (39) is helped after getting shaken up against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)

Steelers’ Minkah Fitzpatrick could return to practice this week ahead of a visit from the Packers

 
FILE - Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (39) runs during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Inglewood, Calif. Fitzpatrick was once again voted as the top safety in the league by The Associated Press, repeating his No. 1 spot from the preseason. A panel of nine AP Pro Football Writers ranked the top five players at safety, making their selections based on current status midway through Week 8. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong, File)

Minkah Fitzpatrick repeats as the top safety in the AP’s NFL Top 5 rankings

 
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (39) is helped after getting shaken up against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)

Steelers star safety Minkah Fitzpatrick leaves game against Jags with hamstring injury

 
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) passes during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)

Lamar Jackson and the Ravens head to Pittsburgh with a chance to take early control of the AFC North

 
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) leaves the field after an injury during the second half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

The weeks change. The opponents change. The Steelers’ inability to generate points does not

 
Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb is tackled by Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Cole Holcomb (55) during the first half of an NFL football game Monday, Sept. 18, 2023, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)

Browns star RB Nick Chubb undergoes knee surgery, will need 2nd operation to repair torn ligament

 
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) is sacked by Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Raiders’ Garoppolo is in concussion protocol, putting his start for Chargers game in question

 
Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb is cared off the field with an injury during the first half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers Monday, Sept. 18, 2023, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)

Browns running back Nick Chubb is believed to have only 1 torn ligament, AP source says

 
Cleveland Browns tight end Harrison Bryant (88) fumbles the football as he is hit by Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (39) during the first half of an NFL football game Monday, Sept. 18, 2023, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick says the hit that injured Browns RB Nick Chubb wasn’t dirty

 
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens scores a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns Monday, Sept. 18, 2023, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

The mojo the Steelers’ offense showed in the preseason is gone. Getting it back could be difficult

 
Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb, grimaces on the field after an injury during the first half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers Monday, Sept. 18, 2023, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)

Browns star Nick Chubb to undergo surgery on season-ending knee injury; Kareem Hunt in for visit

 
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) returns a recovered fumble for a touchdown past Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku (85) during the second half of an NFL football game Monday, Sept. 18, 2023, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Watt’s fumble return TD gives Steelers win over Browns, who lose Chubb to knee injury

 
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt celebrates in the end zone after recovering a fumble by Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson and returning it for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game Monday, Sept. 18, 2023, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)

T.J. Watt’s scoop-and-score lifts Steelers past Browns 26-22 as Cleveland loses Nick Chubb to injury

 
Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb is cared off the field with an injury during the first half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers Monday, Sept. 18, 2023, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)

Nick Chubb suffers another severe knee injury, likely ending the Browns star running back’s season

 
FILE - Houston Texans cornerback Desmond King II (25) walks off the field at the end of the first half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022, in Jacksonville, Fla. The Pittsburgh Steelers signed former All-Pro defensive back Desmond King, Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023, fortifying their secondary on the eve of the regular season. King, 28, spent the last two seasons with the Houston Texans, intercepting five passes and recovering two fumbles. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough, File)

Desmond King doesn’t know why the Texans cut him. He’s not complaining after landing in Pittsburgh.

 
FILE - Houston Texans cornerback Desmond King II (25) walks off the field at the end of the first half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022, in Jacksonville, Fla. The Pittsburgh Steelers signed former All-Pro defensive back Desmond King, Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023, fortifying their secondary on the eve of the regular season. King, 28, spent the last two seasons with the Houston Texans, intercepting five passes and recovering two fumbles. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough, File)

Pittsburgh Steelers fortify secondary, sign former All-Pro DB Desmond King

 
FILE - Pittsburgh Steelers free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (39) runs for a touchdown after recovering a fumble by Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff during the first half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Nov. 10, 2019. Once he got traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Fitzpatrick quickly emerged as one of the NFL's best playmakers at the position and was chosen as the top safety in the league by The Associated Press. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic, File)

Minkah Fitzpatrick claims the top spot in AP’s NFL safety rankings

 
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett passes against the Atlanta Falcons during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Hakim Wright)

Kenny Pickett is hoping for a major step forward in Year 2. The Steelers are counting on it.