The Steelers were getting a spark from Kenny Pickett in their Week 6 game against the Buccaneers, but they have lost the first-round pick to a concussion.
Pickett took a big hit from Buccaneers linebacker Devin White while throwing a pass midway through the third quarter of Pittsburgh's Week 6 game. He was able to complete the pass but came up injured on the play.
The rookie was able to leave the field under his own power. However, he went to the blue medical tent and later to the locker room after the big hit.
Here's the hit on Kenny Pickett.pic.twitter.com/lE8lB2Sjs8
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) October 16, 2022
The Steelers later announced that Pickett was out for the rest of the game due to a concussion. However, the good news is that Mike Tomlin announced Tuesday that Pickett will be able to practice despite being in concussion protocol.
"If he can play," Tomlin said, per ESPN's Adam Schefter, "he will play."
MORE: Tom Brady sounds off on Buccaneers offensive line vs. Steelers
Pickett had completed 11 of 18 passes for 67 yards and a touchdown before exiting the game. The touchdown pass went to Najee Harris and was the first of the rookie's career.
1st career touchdown pass for @kennypickett10 goes to @ohthatsNajee22 👏 #HereWeGo
— NFL (@NFL) October 16, 2022
📺: #TBvsPIT on FOX
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/CzoJaiDy5n pic.twitter.com/fs3WoFksBq
Mitch Trubisky was called upon to replace Pickett. He started the team's first four games of the season before Pickett replaced him at halftime against the Jets in Week 4.
Steelers QB depth chart
The Steelers have three quarterbacks on their active roster entering Week 7 against the Dolphins. They are as follows:
| Rank | Player |
| 1 | Kenny Pickett |
| 2 | Mitch Trubisky |
| 3 | Mason Rudolph |
Pickett will be the starter if he is able to overcome concussion protocol, but Trubisky would otherwise start for the team.
Trubisky has a 30-24 career record as a starter, but he was just 1-3 in his four starts for the Steelers. He completed 59.5 percent of his passes for 653 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions in those four contests and the Steelers struggled to move the ball with him. As such, it could prove difficult for the offense to find success with Trubisky in even despite his late-game success against the Buccaneers.
MORE: Why the Steelers benched Mitch Trubisky for Kenny Pickett
Additionally, third-string quarterback Mason Rudolph would be activated and serve as the backup behind Trubisky if Pickett can't play in Week 7. Rudolph has a 5-4-1 record in 10 career starts but isn't active for Sunday's game.
It's unclear who is the Steelers' emergency quarterback, so if the team deals with injury issues at quarterback, Pittsburgh will have to get creative on offense.
