Steelers QB Kenny Pickett already pushed through one injury earlier this season, playing just a week after suffering a knee injury, but another ailment is now threatening his availability for Pittsburgh.
Pickett exited Sunday's game against the Jaguars with an injury late in the first half, quickly heading back to the locker room after taking a hard hit from Adam Gotsis.
It's been an inconsistent season for Pickett, who received plenty of preseason attention but hasn't taken a major step forward to this point. The second-year signal caller has delivered in some clutch moments, however, just as he did late in his rookie season.
Those flashes have sustained hope that Pickett can be the Steelers' long-term answer at quarterback, and they have helped propel Pittsburgh to a 4-3 start.
MORE: Updated NFL power rankings entering Week 8
Here are the latest updates on Pickett's status after he left Sunday's game.
Kenny Pickett injury update
Pickett suffered a rib injury on the hit from Gotsis and was ruled out for the remainder of the game.
The Steelers initially said Pickett was cleared to return after being evaluated for a rib injury, but the team clarified minutes later that he would not return.
INJURY UPDATE: Pickett has been downgraded to OUT for today's game.
— Burt Lauten (@SteelersPRBurt) October 29, 2023
Pickett walked to the locker room in noticeable pain late in the second quarter. He returned to the sideline with his helmet on for the start of the second half, but it was Mitchell Trubisky who entered the game when the Steelers' offense took the field.
Mike Tomlin didn't have an update when he spoke to CBS sideline reporter Evan Washburn at halftime, only revealing that Pickett was still being evaluated at the time.
Gotsis came down hard on Pickett, who appeared to land on his shoulder and side. No penalty was handed down, which raised some eyebrows after a hit on Trevor Lawrence was controversially ruled to be roughing the passer earlier in the game.
In a world where looking at the QB wrong gets you flagged for roughing the passer, a LEGITIMATE driving him into the ground gets no flag... pic.twitter.com/c7X1l4aR1G
— Sam Monson (@PFF_Sam) October 29, 2023
Trubisky started five games for the Steelers in 2022, going 2-3. He will be tasked with leading Pittsburgh back against the Jaguars, and the former No. 2 pick would be in line for more action if Pickett were forced to miss any time beyond Week 8.
