Steelers coach Mike Tomlin: Kenny Pickett to test injured knee in practice
Kenny Pickett is scheduled to practice Wednesday to gauge whether he can return from a left knee injury and start at quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday in their AFC North matchup against the Baltimore Ravens.
Pickett hobbled off the field and was taken to the locker room late in the third quarter of the Steelers’ 30-6 loss at Houston last Sunday. The medical diagnosis was favorable for the second-year quarterback, revealing a bone bruise rather than a more significant injury, coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday at his weekly news conference.
“He is scheduled to participate at some level, and then we’ll proceed from there,” Tomlin said. “Obviously, his functionality and comfort will be the guide. The more functional and more comfortable he is, the more work he’ll get. As we push forward toward the game, the quality of his work will be a determining factor on his availability.”
If Pickett cannot go, Mitch Trubisky will make his first start of the season and second since last October when he lost his starting job to Pickett. Trubisky played the final quarter of the loss at NRG Stadium and completed 3 of 5 passes for 18 yards in mopup duty.
Tomlin said Pickett’s relative inexperience — he has made 16 career starts — mandates the quarterback getting regular work this week in practice. Tomlin gives more latitude to veteran players, allowing them to play with minimal practice participation during the week.
“Quarterback is no different than any other position,” he said. “Young players need the in-helmet perspective on preparation. He knows and understands that. He’s prepared to practice tomorrow. We’ll let that be our guide.”
Tomlin said he will be mindful about giving Trubisky enough practice snaps in case Pickett doesn’t rebound quick enough from his injury.
“We’ll have a brief meeting tomorrow before we get on the field and see where the baseline is and proceed from there,” Tomlin said. “I’ll ask (Pickett) not to be selfish. I want to get an exposure to where he is without robbing the other guys potentially of preparation.”
The offensive line will feature at least one new starter. Tomlin ruled out left tackle Dan Moore Jr. because of a knee sprain he suffered in the first quarter at Houston. Rookie first-rounder Broderick Jones will make his first NFL start in place of Moore.
Guard James Daniels’ availability remains unknown because of a groin injury. Nate Herbig started in place of Daniels against the Texans.
Tight end Pat Freiermuth is “very doubtful,” according to Tomlin, because of a hamstring injury. Defensive lineman DeMarvin Leal is in concussion protocol, and punter Pressley Harvin is still being treated for a hamstring injury.
If Leal can’t play, rookie Keeanu Benton could get his first NFL start. Brad Wing would be elevated again from the practice squad to punt if Harvin isn’t able to play.
Although the Steelers have their bye after the visit from Baltimore, Tomlin said he won’t take that into consideration when determining if his injured players will dress for the game.
“We have all eyes on this Baltimore Ravens game,” he said. “We’re not making any long-range decisions or decisions with anything else in mind than putting our very best foot forward this weekend and winning this football game.”
The Ravens (3-1) are coming off a 28-3 win over the Browns and are in first place in the AFC North.
Follow Joe Rutter for more on the Steelers.
Joe Rutter is a TribLive reporter who has covered the Pittsburgh Steelers since the 2016 season. A graduate of Greensburg Salem High School and Point Park, he is in his fifth decade covering sports for the Trib. He can be reached at jrutter@triblive.com.
Remove the ads from your TribLIVE reading experience but still support the journalists who create the content with TribLIVE Ad-Free.