Three days after Minkah Fitzpatrick delivered a hit that ended Browns running back Nick Chubb’s season, the Steelers safety defended his actions.

“It’s unfortunate,” Fitzpatrick said. “It’s a tough, tough injury. Unfortunately, it’s part of the game that we play. I know people think I had ill will behind the tackle. That’s not the case whatsoever.

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“I’m a guy that is a competitor that’s going to go out there and play the game. I’m chippy. I’m edgy, of course. But I’m not a dirty player. I’m not going to sit here and defend my character. I know the type of player I am. Chubb knows the type of player I am. I played against him for the past five years, two times a year. I love competing against him. He brings the best out of me, and I bring the best out of him.”

The play occurred in the second quarter of the Steelers 26-22 victory. With the Browns in the red zone, Chubb burst into the second level. Linebacker Cole Holcomb wrapped up the ball carrier high, and Fitzpatrick came in low, hitting Chubb’s knee with his side.

Fitzpatrick was shaken up on the play and later went to the hospital as a precaution for a chest contusion.

Minkah Fitzpatrick on his hit on Nick Chubb: “I know people think I had ill will behind the tackle. It’s not the case whatsoever.” pic.twitter.com/abZRkdKXeQ

— Mike DeFabo (@MikeDeFabo) September 21, 2023

“No chance at all I would try to purposely injure somebody,” Fitzpatrick said. “It was an unfortunate event. We play a physical game. People get hurt. People can sit behind a screen and tell me how I should have done it or what they would have done. They never played the game. It’s a fast game, and things happen.

“It’s unfortunate. I’m praying for Chubb. I talked to him briefly as he was on the ground and just let him know it wasn’t intentional. I was trying to tackle him and make a football play.”

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At 5-foot-11 and 227 pounds, Chubb is routinely among the league leaders in broken tackles and yards after contact. Last season, he ranked third in both categories (28 broken tackles, 695 yards after contact).

“If I tackle a guy like Nick Chubb going full speed downhill and I am stationary, then I am going to get run over and concussed,” said the 6-1, 207-pound safety. “Defensive players are people, too. We have to protect ourselves.”

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(Photo: Charles LeClaire / USA Today)

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