Kenny Pickett seeks consistency as Steelers offense gears up for preseason finale

After making token appearances in the first two preseason games, Kenny Pickett is preparing to play longer than two series when the Pittsburgh Steelers face the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday.

How much longer remains to be seen.

“They’ll pull us when they pull us,” Pickett said Tuesday as the Steelers wrapped up practice on a short work week.

The Steelers will play the Falcons five days after taking the field against the Buffalo Bills in the second preseason game. Pickett presided over two touchdown drives that lasted a combined seven plays.

Last year, coach Mike Tomlin left starting quarterback Mitch Trubisky in the third preseason game for the first half. Tomlin would say Tuesday only that he has an “agenda” for what he would like to see the first team accomplish before he goes to the backups.

“The only way to get better is to keep playing,” Pickett said. “You only get in football shape by playing football, so we’re all excited to get back out there.”

Pickett said there are certain boxes he would like to check in the final tuneup before the regular season, which begins Sept. 10 against the San Francisco 49ers.

“I want to show consistency,” he said. “We’ve had a good first two games. Let’s stack another one and go into the season.”

Wide receiver George Pickens, who like Pickett is entering his second season, also is ready for whatever Tomlin hands him in Atlanta.

“I wouldn’t say (we need) much more work,” he said. “I feel like we’re in a good spot. I feel like the guys come in and work every day, and that’s all you can ask for.”