PITTSBURGH — Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett is dealing with ankle discomfort and will be limited to start this week, head coach Mike Tomlin said on Tuesday. Tomlin does not expect Pickett to miss Sunday’s game against the Cardinals, but he could be limited in those practices leading up to the game.
It is unclear when Kenny Pickett suffered that injury. However, given the team uses so many concepts that use Pickett’s mobility, including bootlegs, sprintouts, and other plays that change the launch points. Tomlin had made it known that he wanted to emphasize that when Eddie Faulkner and Mike Sullivan took over the offense.
Pickett’s mobility is one of the traits that attracted the Steelers to him in the first place. He can scramble when asked and creates plays out of structure. While he does nothing that would confuse him with an elusive runner, that mobility makes him part of who he is as a player. Pickett has sometimes been banged up this year with a knee injury and rib injury. The ankle injury is the latest injury he is dealing with this season.
With his best game of the season, the Steelers achieved their first 400-yard performance since 2020, and also out-gained their opponent for the first time this season, but despite driving the ball up and down the field against the Bengals, points were hard to come by.
Pickett’s sophomore campaign has gotten off to a rough start, and that would be putting it lightly. However, following a coaching change, the Pitt product arguably delivered his most complete pro game. The Steelers’ offense moved the ball practically at will on Sunday, with the quarterback being a significant factor in their success. The box score numbers weren’t gaudy, but he was efficient while appearing confident for the first time. The team hopes this ankle injury does not prove to be a hindrance.