When you think of the Pittsburgh Steelers, a tough defense and a strong ground game probably spring to mind. In the modern NFL, though, a capable quarterback is usually the key to success.
In the 2022 draft, the Steelers snagged Kenny Pickett in the first round. And while there’s room to debate whether or not he’s capable of leading the franchise to glory, he’s slotted in as the club’s starting QB.
But when Thursday Night Football rolls around, the Pitt product will be notably absent. And injury will keep him out of the action.
With that in mind, let’s get into the nitty-gritty and break down everything you need to know about the current Pickett injury.
How did Pickett Get Hurt?
While it’s easy to be awed by the size and strength of professional athletes, mobility is an important part of the equation. If you can’t move, all the talent in the world is irrelevant.
That universal reality is what’s keeping Pickett out of the action.
During the Steelers’ December 3 date with the Arizona Cardinals, the quarterback broke from the pocket and tried to run for a touchdown. He was stopped short, and his ankle seemed to turn during the tackle. The quarterback left the game and did not return.
That ankle, it seems, had been a nagging concern for the QB.
“He was managing that ankle prior to yesterday,” Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin later explained. “I think it was listed on the injury report every day last week and so it got aggravated, and we just did what was necessary in terms of addressing it.
What’s the QB’s Official Diagnosis?
Given the way Pickett was tackled, it wasn’t surprising to hear that he had sustained a high ankle sprain. At this point, though, there’s something more keeping him on the sidelines.
As Tomlin told reporters, the quarterback has gone under the knife to “accelerate the healing process” on his ankle. Both ESPN and the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette described the surgery as a “tightrope” procedure.
Regardless of the specifics, though, the injury report speaks volumes. Pickett is officially “out” with an ankle issue.
When can Pickett Return?
Even if Pickett isn’t a world-beater, no NFL team wants to be playing without their starting quarterback. Thankfully for everyone affiliated with the Steelers, it seems like he won’t be spending too long on the sidelines.
Tomlin didn’t want to put a timeline on the signal-caller’s absence.
“They’ll always come out of the O.R. with some information in that regard, but I’m just not privy to it as I sit here today,” he said. “That’s why I framed it the way that I framed it. Rest assured, he won’t be available this week.” He did, however, note that the injury and subsequent surgery wouldn’t be season-ending.
With that being said, though, multiple outlets have reported that Pickett will miss a few weeks.
And, if we’re going by previous precedent, that sounds about right. “The quarterback had a similar ankle stabilization procedure done on his left ankle in 2020 while at Pitt and returned after four weeks,” Brooke Pryor’s ESPN write-up noted.
Mitchell Trubisky Is the Steelers’ Backup
With Pickett sidelined, Mitchell Trubisky steps under center for the Steelers. He, of course, spent four seasons with the Chicago Bears, where he never really lived up to his status as the second-overall pick. After a brief stint in Buffalo, he joined the Steelers in 2022; he was actually the starter before Pickett took his job.
He possesses plenty of experience (55 career starts), which Tomlin believes will serve him and the Steelers well.
“He’s been a franchise quarterback before,” Tomin explained. “He’s comfortable in those shoes. He doesn’t behave like a backup as being elevated, and I think those are things that make him attractive.”
Can the Steelers Cope With This Setback?
As mentioned above, playing without your starting quarterback is never ideal. The Steelers’ situation, however, is also informed by their upcoming schedule.
Pittsburgh faces New England on Thursday Night Football, and that should be a winnable game, no matter who’s under center. Playing on Thursday also means the club gets a “mini-bye” since the next engagement isn’t until Saturday, December 16.
If Pickett can return by then, the Steelers will have dodged a bullet. But if he’s still sidelined, things could get tricky. The AFC North squad will face the Colts, Bengals, Seahawks and Ravens. Those will all be tricky games, and Pittsburgh’s performance will affect their chances at a postseason berth.
As of now, Mike Tomlin’s men are sitting in playoff position, but that only means so much. The New York Times‘ Upshot only essentially gives the Steelers a 50-50 chance of advancing past the regular season. Each subsequent loss, of course, will further dent those odds.
But, then again, some have felt that Pickett hasn’t shown enough to be the Steelers’ unquestioned starter. And, if that’s the case, then maybe his absence will be a blessing in disguise.
Ultimately, we’ll just have to see how things play out.
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