Kenny Pickett a game-time decision to start for Steelers; Minkah Fitzpatrick ruled out

Three days of recuperation isn’t enough time for the Pittsburgh Steelers to get All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick back on the field for their game Thursday night.

It could be sufficient, however, for quarterback Kenny Pickett.

On Monday, a day after coach Mike Tomlin watched both players exit with injuries in the first half of a 20-10 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, he acknowledged Fitzpatrick’s hamstring injury will prevent him from suiting up against Tennessee. It is the first of two Thursday night home games the Steelers will play this season.

Pickett, on the other hand, will be a game-time decision to start at quarterback.

At his weekly news conference Monday, Tomlin said the “door is definitely ajar” for Pickett returning from a rib injury he suffered late in the final moments of the first half.

“We’ll go through the week and look at his ability to throw, his level of comfort, his effectiveness and let that be our guide in determining his availability,” Tomlin said.

Pickett completed 10 of 16 passes for 73 yards before he was helped off the field with 14 seconds remaining in the half. After throwing a pass, he was taken to the ground on a hit to the midsection by defensive end Adam Gotsis, who was not penalized.

If Pickett is unable to play, backup Mitch Trubisky will make his first start and third appearance of the season.

Tomlin said he won’t have a better understanding of whether Pickett will be cleared to play until after he takes part in practice this week. The Steelers have just one official practice in the short week, and it will take place Tuesday.

But Tomlin also will have the Steelers practice Wednesday. It will be more extensive than the walk-through that typically takes place on the day before a game.

Tomlin indicated Pickett won’t begin testing the pain tolerance in his ribs by throwing a football until that Wednesday workout.

“That is going to be a really functional practice,” he said. “He’ll have an opportunity to display readiness in that time.”

Trubisky will get the first-team snaps Wednesday. He replaced Pickett late in the first half against Jacksonville and led the Steelers to their only touchdown in the loss. Trubisky also threw a pair of interceptions, including one early in the fourth quarter while the Steelers were trailing by seven points.

“Largely, Mitch has done a really good job, and I’m talking about day to day, the things that come with being a backup quarterback,” Tomlin said. “He’s been an asset to Kenny, an idea guy, a really good communicator, making sure quarterbacks and receivers are on the same page. He is highly professional and really good at those things.

“He hasn’t had a lot of opportunities to play, but when called upon he is always ready above the neck and competitive. We’re really comfortable with him.”

Related:

• Kenny Pickett, Minkah Fitzpatrick injured as Steelers stumble in loss to Jaguars
• Steelers press on without Kenny Pickett, Minkah Fitzpatrick, whose statuses vague for Thursday
• 'They cost us the game’ — some Steelers fume over questionable calls in loss to Jaguars

Fitzpatrick was knocked from the game on the second defensive series, his injury occurring away from the ball. He was taken immediately to the locker room.

Tomlin said he didn’t know the extent of Fitzpatrick’s hamstring injury. Wide receiver Diontae Johnson missed four games because of a hamstring issue, and tight end Pat Freiermuth was placed on injured reserve last week after aggravating his hamstring injury.

The Steelers used Damontae Kazee most frequently in the slot after Fitzpatrick’s departure. Keanu Neal and Miles Killebrew also got snaps there as the Steelers stuck with a three-safeties package they frequently deployed.

“Obviously, the loss of Minkah is a significant one,” Tomlin said. “It’s a multi-man job, not a one-man job. Thankfully, we have veterans back there who are veteran NFL players and that lessens the impact, hopefully. But, obviously, it’s not a one-man job when you’re talking about replacing Minkah, whether you’re talking about his play-making ability or his hub of communication ability.”

Tomlin offered more positive injuries news on two players eligible to be activated from injured reserve. Defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (groin) and running back/kickoff returner Anthony McFarland (foot) could be cleared to return by Thursday.

“We have some things to juggle from a personnel standpoint,” Tomlin said. “We’ll get some clarity in those areas as we push through the week and get closer to game time.”