Who is going to replace Kenny Pickett after Steelers QB injured in loss to Cardinals? Exploring the possibility

The Pittsburgh Steelers, led by Kenny Pickett, are on their way to secure a playoff run this season, keeping the rookie quarterback at the helm. Besides the on-field performance, the team’s several players hit the headlines amid the regular season, ranging from locker room brawl to being slapped with fines for questioning the integrity of NFL officials.

A few days after beating the Cincinnati Bengals without Joe Burrow, the Steelers were hit with a 10-24 setback to the Arizona Cardinals in Week 13. The loss came with another blow, as the team is going to miss their starting QB for a while due to an injury.

Kenny Pickett injury update

Kenny Pickett sustained an ankle injury in the Week 13 contest against the Cardinals that forced him out of the game. With five minutes remaining in the first half, the signal-caller, in a desperate attempt to reach the end zone, was tackled by the opponent’s linebacker Josh Woods on a third-and-goal play.

This resulted in the QB remaining on the ground for a significant period before being ruled out for the remainder of the game. His appearance on the Steelers’ bench during the second half, donning a walking boot, raised immediate concerns among the NFL community regarding his potential to play in the upcoming games.

According to reports from CBS Sports‘ lead NFL insider Jonathan Jones, the Steelers star is scheduled to undergo a surgical procedure on his injured ankle on Monday. The surgery is anticipated to sideline him for a period ranging from two to four weeks.

However, more uncertainty looms over the dual-threat’s condition, as Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette expressed concerns that the Steelers fear the potential necessity of season-ending surgery for the young star.

This unfortunate injury marks a recurring trend for the second-year star, who just a week before had suffered an ankle injury against the Cincinnati Bengals, leading him to enter Week 13 with a protective brace on his right ankle. The ambiguity surrounding whether this recent incident is a re-aggravation of the previous injury or an entirely new setback further complicates his recovery trajectory.

The QB’s tumultuous season has been marred by health setbacks. In Week 4, during a game against the Houston Texans, he sustained a knee bruise following a sack near the end of the third quarter, leading him to be ruled out of the game.

Despite his struggles and injury setbacks, Kenny Pickett played a pivotal role in steering the Steelers to a 7-4 record in the ongoing season. However, his statistical performance has been less than stellar, marked with only six touchdown passes and four interceptions throughout 12 games.

Who will replace Kenny Pickett?

After completing eight of 11 passes for 75 yards in Week 13, Kenny Pickett sustained the injury. Stepping into the fray was QB2 Mitch Trubisky, who took charge and displayed his prowess by going 11-of-17 for 117 yards and securing a touchdown. However, despite his efforts, the Steelers succumbed to a 14-point defeat.

With Pickett sidelined for the upcoming matches due to the injury, the Steelers’ head coach Mike Tomlin confirmed Trubisky will continue as the team’s starting quarterback during the post-game interviews.

The signal-caller, now in his second season with Pittsburgh, has seen action in three games this season. His stat line of 29 completions out of 49 attempts for 273 yards, coupled with two touchdowns and two interceptions,

Notably, the QB’s journey with the Steelers took a turn last year when he initially held the starter position. However, Pickett’s rise to QB1 came after his benching following a Week 4 clash against the New York Jets. Despite this, the Steelers recognized Trubisky’s value and signed him to an extension during the offseason, primarily to serve as a mentor and ensure stability in the event of quarterback injuries.

The upcoming games of the Steelers will provide an opportunity for Mitch to further showcase his skills.