Week 5 is an important one for the Pittsburgh Steelers. It is a big game for the team as they are 1-3 and their season could be hanging in the balance these next few weeks. It is also the first start of Kenny Pickett’s career after he was selected in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft.

It will be a stiff test for Pickett and the Steelers as they are heading on the road to take on the Buffalo Bills. Buffalo was the odds-on favorite to win the Super Bowl coming into the season and they have done nothing in the first four weeks of the season to change people’s minds.

The Bills possess an explosive offense led by Josh Allen with star wide receiver Stefon Diggs as his go-to target. Luckily for the Steelers, they received some excellent news when it comes to their defense.

Already without star edge rusher T.J. Watt, it looked like they could be without All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick this week as well. Fitzpatrick missed practice on Wednesday and was limited on Thursday, which put his status in doubt. 

However, it is no longer in doubt as Fitzpatrick was a full participant on Friday. He has no injury status which means that he will be on the field Sunday afternoon when the Steelers take the field in Orchard Park.

Having Fitzpatrick in the lineup is huge for a Pittsburgh team that is already middle of the pack or below average in most defensive categories this season. Without Fitzpatrick, things could have gotten very ugly on defense against an offense as potent as the one that the Bills possess.

In addition to Fitzpatrick, wide receiver Diontae Johnson, cornerback Levi Wallace, offensive lineman Mason Cole, defensive lineman Chris Wormley and defensive tackle Cameron Heyward are all off the injury report and expected to play. The secondary will be shorthanded, however, as Ahkello Witherspoon is out after missing the entire week of practice. 

Cameron Sutton, another starting cornerback, and Terrell Edmunds, the starting safety opposite of Fitzpatrick, are both questionable. Sutton is dealing with a hamstring and groin injury while Edmunds suffered a concussion as both were limited throughout the week.