Kenny Pickett took the first step toward reclaiming his starting job as Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback when he was a full practice participant Wednesday.
Coach Mike Tomlin has said Pickett will start Sunday night against the Miami Dolphins if the rookie first-round draft pick is cleared from concussion protocol.
While Pickett remains in the protocol, his full participation in practice to start the week is encouraging news for the Steelers.
“He looked good,” wide receiver Diontae Johnson said after practice. “It didn’t seem like anything was wrong with him. It seemed like he was locked in, ready to go for this week.”
Johnson said Pickett took most of the first-team reps in practice.
“It was pretty much Kenny in there the whole time,” he said. “Mitch came in a little bit, but for the most part it was Kenny trying to get those reps down and those key plays we’ll need him to make.”
Pickett was placed in concussion protocol after he was forced out of the game Sunday against Tampa Bay after being knocked to the ground by Buccaneers linebacker Devin White midway through the third quarter.
It was the first home start and second overall of Pickett’s career.
Pickett will have to be cleared from protocol before he can start Sunday against Miami, which is getting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa back after a two-game absence because of concussions.
“I feel like he’ll be ready to go,” Johnson said of Pickett.
Cornerback Levi Wallace and tight end Pat Freiermuth each remain in concussion protocol but also were full practice participants Wednesday. They didn’t play against Tampa Bay after being concussed a week earlier at Buffalo.
Two players did not practice: wide receiver/returner Steven Sims (hamstring) and defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi (knee). Players who were limited included cornerbacks Cam Sutton (hamstring) and Ahkello Witherspoon (hamstring), safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (knee), inside linebacker Myles Jack (ankle), center Mason Cole (foot/ankle), right guard James Daniels (ankle) and defensive lineman Chris Wormley (ankle).
