The Pittsburgh Steelers are going to be short-handed when they travel to the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Playoffs. Not having T.J. Watt, who will miss the game with a injury to his knee, will make defending Josh Allen and company extremely difficult. However, it isn’t as if the Steelers will be short-handed throughout their entire defense.

Not only did the Steelers activate Damontae Kazee off the suspension list Wednesday, but they are most likely going to get Minkah Fitzpatrick back at the safety position. According to Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Fitzpatrick told media he is “110%” and could have played last week before the team decided to hold him out, likely due to field conditions and Fitzpatrick coming off a knee injury.

Minkah Fitzpatrick felt like he could have played last week in Baltimore but the team made an executive decision. He said he’s 110% for Sunday.

— Ray Fittipaldo (@rayfitt1) January 11, 2024

So, despite Trenton Thompson being placed on Injured Reserve (IR) due to his neck injury, the Steelers secondary gets a much-needed boost with Kazee and Fitzpatrick set to return. The addition of Eric Rowe also continues to add not just three safeties, but proven depth as the team will try to slow down Stefon Diggs and company in Orchard Park, NY this Sunday at 1:00pm EST.

While Fitzpatrick returning is a big boost, it also is somewhat of a confusing trend with the Steelers not playing as well with Fitzpatrick in the lineup, compared to without him. It should be noted Fitzpatrick has had an injury plagued season, starting with a hamstring injury and continuing with his knee injury, and the possibility is there the secondary never got to mesh as Fitzpatrick was in and out of the lineup.

With the Steelers having three safeties available to them this Sunday, it is safe to assume Patrick Peterson will slide back to the cornerback role he manned the majority of the season before being tasked with playing safety as the position was decimated by injury. This should help both Joey Porter Jr. and Levi Wallace to help the cornerback depth as well.

Be sure to stay tuned to SCN for the latest news and notes surrounding the Steelers as they prepare for the Bills this Sunday in the AFC Wild Card Round.