Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett is wearing a new helmet as he tried to return from a concussion and San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy’s recent success is drawing some comparisons between the rookies.
? Ben Roethlisberger has changed his foundations name to The Roethlisberger Family Foundation. “To nurture and care for my family is my mission in life. As I’m on this journey, I’m inviting others to join me as I bring experts to the table to help us all grow as families.” Roethlisberger said in a statement on the new website.
? The Carolina Panthers have won three of their last four games, scoring at least 20 points in all three wins. Carolina has scored more than 20 points in six of their last seven. In contrast, the Pittsburgh Steelers are 0-5 when allowing more than 20 points in a game this season.
? The panelists at NFL.com are not high on the Steelers defeating Carolina on Sunday, as only one out of 10 analysts picked Pittsburgh.
? Steelers quarterbacks Kenny Pickett (4) and Mitch Trubisky (4) have thrown eight combined touchdown passes so far this season. That ranks dead last in the NFL.
? Kenny Pickett wore a new Riddell Axiom helmet with a visor at Thursday’s practice. Pickett is currently in the concussion protocol, which marks the second time this year.
? Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk wouldn’t be “surprised” if Mike Tomlin got traded to Carolina in the offseason. Current Panthers owner David Tepper used to be a minority owner of the Steelers, so that’s the connection associated with Florio’s theory. The chances of Art Rooney II trading Tomlin are slime to none, but trading coaches for draft capital has happened before. The New York Jets traded Herm Edwards to the Kansas City Chiefs in 2006, and the Oakland Raiders traded two first-round picks to Tampa Bay Buccaneers for Jon Gruden in 2002. The Gruden deal gave the Raiders two first round picks.
? The San Francisco 49ers clinched the NFC West title and at least one home playoff game by defeating the Seattle Seahawks, 21-13, on Thursday Night Football. This year’s Mr. Irrelevant, Brock Purdy, had another standout performance, completing 17 of 26 passes (65.4%) for 217 yards with two touchdowns, no interceptions, and a quarterback rating of 117.0. The seventh-round pick out of Iowa State is now 2-0 as a starter.
Through his first three games, Pickett had a 67.0 passer rating while completing 55 of 83 for 514 yards, one touchdown and four interceptions. Purdy is 58 of 84 for 612 yards, six touchdowns and one interception for a 108.8 rating.
STEELERS SCHEDULE
The Steelers will practice at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex at 10:15 a.m. — Alan Saunders, Nick Farabaugh
AROUND THE NETWORK
