Steelers Pro Bowl S Minkah Fitzpatrick officially to face Bills, but how will secondary line up?

It was only a couple weeks ago it felt as if the cupboard was bare in regards to Pittsburgh Steelers safeties. Now, all of a sudden, it seems they have too many?

Minkah Fitzpatrick was given the official green light to play in Sunday’s playoff opener at the Buffalo Bills, according to the status report released after Friday’s practice. Along with the return of Damontae Kazee from suspension, the Steelers now must decide how to deploy members of their secondary.

In the stead of Fitzpatrick and Kazee — Keanu Neal (rib) and Trenton Thompson (neck) remain out at safety — the Steelers started converted veteran cornerback Patrick Peterson and recent practice-squad call-up Eric Rowe at safety during their three-game winning streak to close out the regular season.

“It feels good to get the gang back together,” Peterson said. “Getting Minkah back out there, the main communicator to the guys in the secondary, (and) getting Kazee back, one of the best post safeties in the game (is helpful). To have all of us back at the right time of the season is always a plus.

“We will have to wait and see what the game plan will be moving forward to try to get us all on the field at the same time — but that’s a coach’s problem.”

Fitzpatrick joined three other starters (inside linebacker Elandon Roberts, running back Najee Harris and left guard Isaac Seumalo) who were given the clean bill of health headed into Sunday’s game. Each missed some practice time this week — including Seumalo, who did not practice at all Friday — but the injury to each was preexisting, and each had played in at least one game through it.

The only player on the Steelers’ active roster ruled out for Sunday was All-Pro outside linebacker T.J. Watt, who suffered a knee injury during last week’s regular-season finale in Baltimore.

“He should be defensive player of the year this year for what he’s done on the field,” cornerback Levi Wallace said of Watt. “But he won’t be out there for us this weekend. So for us to get him back, we have to win this game.”

Fitzpatrick missed the final three games of the regular season because of a knee injury. He also missed four games earlier this season because of a hamstring injury.

“We all know what Minkah brings to this team and means to this team,” Peterson said. “He’s an ‘A’ player.”

If Peterson moves back to outside cornerback, that could leave Levi Wallace on the bench. Peterson might move around, at times spelling Wallace, slot/nickel Chandon Sullivan or one of the starting safeties.

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