Kenny Pickett to back up Mitch Trubisky in Steelers' preseason game at Jacksonville

Mitch Trubisky will start at quarterback for the second preseason game in a row, but the order in which the backups will enter the game has been flipped.

Coach Mike Tomlin confirmed Thursday that first-round pick Kenny Pickett will be the first quarterback off the bench when the Pittsburgh Steelers play at the Jacksonville Jaguars on Saturday night.

Pickett has taken most of the second-team reps in practice this week. Mason Rudolph has worked with the third string this week and will be the third quarterback to play against Jacksonville.

Tomlin said his decision is not a slight at Rudolph.

“All three guys have performed well,” Tomlin said. “I think the main emphasis and mentality regardless of how we structured it this week is we simply want to see Kenny in more varsity action. We know more about Mason. Mitch has been around the professional game, obviously.

“This is a big week for (Pickett) in terms of maybe getting in during the first half of this game and getting an opportunity to see frontline defenders for Jacksonville.”

Trubisky played two series in the preseason opener against Seattle. Rudolph played the next three series and one additional snap to finish out the first half. Pickett played the third and fourth quarters.

Trubisky likely will play deeper into the first half against Jacksonville.

“We really haven’t talked about it much,” Trubisky said. “I like to think, in my mindset, that I’m going to play the whole game, and then whenever he takes me out, he takes me out. That’s what I’m preparing for mentally.”

Rudolph wasn’t surprised by the decision given the reps he has taken in practice this week.

“We have been splitting things up the entire way through camp, so that will be no different,” he said. “’I’ve got a pretty good feel for what I will play and how much and what we are doing, but that’s the nature of the quarterback position, and that’s always going to be changing when you are in a competition.”

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Tomlin said all starters who are healthy and have practiced will play against the Jaguars. This means veterans such as T.J. Watt and Minkah Fitzpatrick are expected to make their preseason debut. Cameron Heyward was among that group until he injured his ankle early in practice Thursday.

Running back Najee Harris also could play after sitting out the preseason opener with a minor foot injury. Wide receivers Diontae Johnson and Chase Claypool could debut, as well.

“I have an inclusive mentality,” Tomlin said. “We’ll see how the rest of the work progresses throughout the week.”

Kendrick Green will start at left guard for the second week in a row. Green is competing with Kevin Dotson for the starting job, but Dotson sat out the opener with a right ankle injury. Dotson has returned to practice, but his absence has hurt his chances of winning the job from Green, Tomlin said.

“It has impacted it,” he said. “Both guys are performing well. Obviously, KG has had more exposure, more work. It has been a factor. Availability is a big component of sorting out some of these battles. That’s the reality of this game.”