Another day, another full practice for Kenny Pickett.
If that happens again Friday, feel secure in assuming Pickett will make his third start as quarterback of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Pickett was listed on the league-mandated injury report as a full participant at Thursday’s practice, four days after he did not finish a win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers because of what the team at the time announced was a concussion. Pickett also practiced fully Wednesday.
Coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday that Pickett was expected to practice fully all week and be cleared to play in the game this coming Sunday at the Miami Dolphins. If so, Tomlin said Pickett will make his third career start.
“We’re going based on how things are told to us,” offensive coordinator Matt Canada said Thursday about how the team is approaching the practice week with Pickett, their rookie first-round pick. “We’ll function accordingly, and everything’s been all clear and all go, so we’re functioning that way. Beyond that, that’s a Coach Tomlin question, but we’re just taking the normal steps you would take in this situation.”
Asked moments earlier how it’s been with Pickett this week, Canada said, “Good. Really good.”
Pickett has completed 66.3% of his 83 pass attempts with one passing touchdown, two rushing touchdowns and four interceptions over eight-plus quarters played since replacing Mitch Trubisky at halftime of a game against the New York Jets on Oct. 2. Pickett was credited with his first win as a starter this past Sunday, despite not playing the final 1 ½ quarters as a result of absorbing a hit from Bucs linebacker Devin White.
“I think Kenny’s continuing to make plays,” Canada said. “He does a lot of great things. I don’t know if there’re specifics to it. There’s just going to be ebbs and flows in our game as an offense that’s evolving and coming up.”
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