Mike Tomlin: No Problem With Roquan Smith Hit That Injured Kenny Pickett

PITTSBURGH — Mike Tomlin does not have an issue with the hit that injured Kenny Pickett. Roquan Smith could have been argued to have committed a penalty due to him grabbing the facemask of Pickett on the sack. However, when Tomlin was asked point blank if he had an issue with the hit after watching it, he shrugged it off.

“I did not (have a problem with it),” Tomlin said.

While Pickett suffered a concussion on the hit, and it could have been called a penalty for the facemask component, it was unlikely to be a dirty hit. Smith wrapped Pickett up, twirled him around, and slammed him down, creating the whiplash motion that likely injured Pickett.

Obviously Smith grabbed Pickett’s face mask, slammed Kenny into the ground and as the video shows, still had a hold of the face mask when Kenny was on the ground.

No penalty.#Steelers #Ravens #NFL pic.twitter.com/6xfriNRXYj

— Obviously (Not) Tomlin (@Tomlin_Sense) December 11, 2022

This could have been called for a facemask. However, it does not appear to be diry in any manner, and certainly not to the extent that Tomlin would have an issue with it. Still, there is undoubtedly a rule being broken here as Smith grabs the facemask and does not immediately release it. The rule reads as follows:

“No player shall grasp and control, twist, turn, push, or pull the facemask of an opponent in any direction. Note: If a player grasps an opponent’s facemask, he must immediately release it. If he does not immediately release it and controls his opponent, it is a foul.” 

Watching that play above, it constitutes the hit on Kenny Pickett to be called a penalty. However, Tomlin’s deference to any wrongdoing on the hit is not surprising. Given the physical nature of the Steelers and Ravens rivalry, hits like this can often happen. Unfortunately this time, it resulted in a player suffering a concussion.