Mason Rudolph 'ready to rock' if Kenny Pickett can't play for Steelers because of concussion

It will be bittersweet for Mason Rudolph if he is active Sunday for the first time this season when the Pittsburgh Steelers face the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium.

It would mean the fifth-year quarterback would be one step closer to seeing his first game action since the preseason. But it also would mean his inclusion on the gameday roster came at the expense of rookie Kenny Pickett.

Pickett remained in concussion protocol Monday, a day after he exited the Steelers’ 16-14 loss to the Baltimore Ravens after the second offensive series. It is Pickett’s second trip to concussion protocol in an eight-game span, which could put his availability for the Panthers game in question.

Pickett was in the locker room Monday during the portion open to the media but, because he is in the protocol, is not available for interviews. If he doesn’t play at Carolina, Rudolph would be elevated to the No. 2 quarterback spot behind Mitch Trubisky.

“That will be something we’ll talk about today and tomorrow, and I’m waiting to hear about my involvement or level of involvement this week,” Rudolph said Monday. “But I’m ready to rock, if needed.”

Pickett was leveled on a sack by Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith on the Steelers’ fifth offensive snap. He headed into the blue medical tent for several moments. He was cleared to return to play but was removed from the game after the next series — a three-and-out in which he attempted his lone pass of the game.

Trubisky replaced Pickett and led the Steelers to two touchdowns but also threw three interceptions on passes that were picked off inside the red zone.

Rudolph said Pickett shouldn’t be second-guessed for being allowed to return to the game.

“When you get signed off by the experts, and we’ve got a lot of those in Pittsburgh, they’re the best of the best, you feel comfortable with getting cleared,” he said.

Rudolph can relate. It was three years ago against the Ravens that he was knocked from the game after a hit under the chin by Ravens safety Earl Thomas.

“I thought I was good after I was unconscious for about 90 seconds,” Rudolph said. “I remember telling Zach Banner, ‘I’m good, let’s go back in, I’m fine.’ But I was not fine. Sometimes, you try to psych yourself up and try to act tough like you’re not feeling some symptoms — at least from my experience. I knew I was (concussed), but I was trying to go the next week.”

That didn’t happen. The Steelers started “Duck” Hodges against the Los Angeles Chargers. After the team’s bye week, Rudolph returned and led the Steelers to three consecutive wins before a Thursday loss at Cleveland — the night when he was conked over the head with his helmet by Myles Garrett.

Rudolph said he had to overcome some doubts when he returned to practice after his concussion.

“I think Kenny came back well from the first one (against Tampa Bay),” Rudolph said. “I remember from my time, that first practice back, (you wonder), am I cognitively there? You sometimes second-guess yourself. With enough practices, you get back in the flow.”

As the third-string quarterback, Rudolph gets few reps in practice. He estimates that since the start of the season, he has only gotten a handful of chances in team portions of practice. He’s tried to stay sharp in other ways.

“I’ve tried to stay consistent all year whether that’s with the film aspect or just prepping, doing what I can to help the other guys,” he said. “It’s finding time to get a throw here or there during special teams (periods) and (individual portions). I put more pressure on myself to be perfect in individual in the short periods that I do have.”

After being inactive for the first 13 games of the season, Rudolph would like to get a chance to play before the end of the season after which he will become a free agent.

“I’m a competitor, so of course I want to play,” he said. “Every week, each day, I want to play, I want to practice. I take advantage of the reps I do get. Of course, any competitor wants to be out there for his team, winning and putting his hand in the pile.”