Kenny Pickett exited yesterday’s loss to the Jaguars after suffering a rib injury. The Steelers quarterback didn’t return to the contest, and while he managed to avoid a serious injury, there’s uncertainty surrounding his status for Week 9.
With the Steelers facing a short week ahead of Thursday Night Football, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport says there isn’t a lot of optimism surrounding Pickett’s availability for that game. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin seems to be keeping the door open, however, saying his starting QB’s status will truly be a game-time decision.
“I think the door is definitively ajar for Kenny,” Tomlin said (via ESPN’s Brooke Pryor). “Probably a game-time-type decision based on the information that I’m holding here today, with no structural damage and so forth to his ribs.
“And so, we see how we’ll go through the week, his ability to throw his level of comfort, his ability of effectiveness, et cetera, and let that be our guide in terms of determining his availability.”
Tomlin also said the team will have a “functional” practice on Wednesday. That session will play a key role in determining whether Pickett will be under center the following night.
If Pickett can’t play against the Titans, the Steelers will turn to backup Mitchell Trubisky. The veteran has seen time in two games this Sunday, including this past weekend. In total, Trubisky has completed 18 of his 32 pass attempts for 156 yards, one touchdown, and a pair of interceptions. The former second-overall pick got five starts for the Steelers in 2022, with Pittsburgh going 2-3 in those contests.
This is just a word game for Tomlin. He wants Tennessee to think Pickett can play. The reality is it makes little difference whether Pickett plays or not. There is little difference in the Steelers offense no matter which quarterback plays.
I applauded the selection of Pickett, but I was wrong. Here’s a guy who’s had 20 games and has shown very little. He’s not a starting QB, let alone a “franchise QB”.
That’s not to say that any QB could immediately transform this team into a contender
They still have a poor offensive line, a wide receiver who seems to have the well known Antonio Brown/Martavis Bryant/Chase Claypool tendency to be a me-first type, another wide receiver who scares no one deep and a 1st round running back who’s also shown very little
Yeah, the OC is horrible. But it starts with Tomlin, a guy who could use a fresh start somewhere else
But Pickett? Sorry. Not the answer here
What a dark period in Pittsburgh sports
Even with that said they still have a winning record. If they fix the offensive line, it’s a different team. The kid has also shown the ability to come back and win if given the chance. His focus is the key as it seems sharper in those situations. Give him time. Look at Tua – one minute the kid was about to be replaced, got a couple of serious concussions, and now he’s tossing the ball like he’s Steve Young.
Tua has a much better collegiate track record than Kenny, and an organization that recognized the problems around him and solved them quickly. I don’t think they’re comparable. If you just swapped the two, I believe that Tua would be slightly better than Kenny as a Steeler if the Steelers line could keep him alive and I don’t think Kenny would flourish anywhere near the level that Tua has in Miami – or honestly anywhere. He had one really decent college season that got him wrongly drafted in the first round but refuses to take chances and throw downfield and primarily prefers checking down. He seems to be a good backup candidate. You can probably get a game or two from him, but he doesn’t seem reliable for 17.
I get your point. Not every QB is hot out of the gate. But I watched the kid progress at Pitt and it hasn’t translated to the NFL. You say “give him time”. I have. Again, I applauded the pick
But he’s nervous in the pocket and with a poor offensive line , it’s only magnified. He doesn’t possess great arm strength and all too often, he misses receivers. Look at how wide open Johnson was in the end zone on Sunday
Mind you, I’m not putting the entire mess on him. I don’t know that Burrow or Mahomes would make this a team destined for a big playoff run. But I have to agree with Broken Jar here. There’s a reason most teams had him pegged as a 3rd round pick
Poor coaching. Lackluster personnel. You can tell me about winning records all you like—that’s a favorite ploy of Tomlin apologists—but this just isn’t a good team