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Steelers free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick breaks up pass intended for Giants tight end Evan Engram during game action Monday, Sept. 14, 2020, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
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Steelers' T.J. Watt, Minkah Fitzpatrick named first-team All-Pro

Peter Diana/Post-Gazette

Steelers' T.J. Watt, Minkah Fitzpatrick named first-team All-Pro

Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt and safety Minkah Fitzpatrick were named first-team All-Pro by the Associated Press on Friday.

It’s the second consecutive year Watt and Fitzpatrick were named first-team All-Pro.

Watt had one of the best defensive seasons in recent franchise history. He led the NFL in sacks (15) and tackles for loss (23) and is one of the favorites to win NFL Defensive Player of the Year. He also forced two fumbles and had an interception to go along with 53 tackles.

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Over the past two seasons, Watt has established himself as one of the league’s top defenders. He has 29 ½ sacks, 10 forced fumbles and three interceptions in that span.

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“It’s a great honor,” Watt said. “A lot of hard work went into it. All of that stuff is team awards. None of it is possible without those guys in the locker room.”

Fitzpatrick made first-team All-Pro in each of his first two seasons with the Steelers after being acquired in a trade with Miami in September of 2019. He had four interceptions, including one that was returned for a touchdown. He also had a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and 11 passes defensed.

Defensive lineman Cam Heyward was part of the All-Pro’s second team. He was a first-teamer in 2017 and 2019.

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Clean bill of health

Other than Joe Haden being out with COVID, the Steelers will go into the game as healthy as they have been in weeks.

Every other player on the roster is expected to play. Kicker Chris Boswell was limited on Friday, but he is expected to play after missing the regular-season finale with a groin injury.

JuJu Smith-Schuster returned to practice and participated fully one day after missing with a knee injury. Defensive lineman Isaiah Buggs also returned to practice on Friday after missing practice with an illness.

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Ray Fittipaldo: rfittipaldo@post-gazette.com and Twitter @rayfitt1.

First Published: January 8, 2021, 5:06 p.m.

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