SAD NEWS : Steelers QB Kenny Pickett is out indefinitely
Pittsburgh (AP) — Without quarterback Kenny Pickett, the Pittsburgh Steelers will have to try to move on following a nightmare loss to Arizona.
Following surgery on Monday to treat a high right ankle sprain, Pickett is sidelined indefinitely. Pittsburgh (7-5) plays New England (2-10) on Thursday night, with Mitch Trubisky starting.
Regarding the number of games Pickett would miss, Tomlin declined to provide numbers. Following a 2-yard rush, Cardinals defensive end Jonathan Ledbetter fell on Pickett’s legs in the second quarter of Sunday’s game, aggravating the ailment that Tomlin claimed Pickett had been “managing” recently.
Tomlin stated that the group is hopeful Pickett can make a comeback before the regular season ends and does not think the injury is “chronic.”
On Sunday, Pickett lost playing time due to an injury for the sixth time, including three times this season, since he was promoted to the starting lineup a month into the 2022 campaign.
On October 1, Trubisky participated in the fourth quarter of a game against Houston despite Pickett’s left knee bruising. On October 29, after Pickett departed the game due to a rib injury, the No. 2 overall selection in the 2017 draft also assumed control against Jacksonville.
Against the Cardinals, Trubisky completed 11 of 17 throws for 117 yards and a touchdown; Diontae Johnson’s 2-yard pass sealed the victory after the game was already decided.
Mason Rudolph, who is in his sixth season with the Steelers but has been the third-stringer since the middle of training camp in 2022, will not start over Trubisky because of his chemistry with the starters, according to Tomlin.
Tomlin remarked, “(Trubisky) has an outgoing and welcoming personality.” “He can communicate effectively. He has prior experience as a franchise quarterback. He seems at ease wearing those shoes. He doesn’t act in a way that suggests an elevated backup. And in my opinion, it’s those qualities that make him appealing.
Trubisky’s last start occurred in December of last year, when, with Pickett in the concussion protocol, he assisted the Steelers in defeating Carolina 24–16.
While he has been effective in spurts, he struggles to handle the ball. Trubisky has made ten appearances for Pittsburgh and has thrown seven interceptions. In contrast, Pickett has only made four picks in 12 games so far this season.
Eventually, whomever is trailing the center will need to find a means to score more points. The Steelers have now lost five straight games with 10 points or fewer.
