All Clear! Steelers Pickett, Freiermuth, Wallace Return from Concussion Protocol
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett, tight end Pat Freiermuth and cornerback Levi Wallace have all cleared the NFL concussion protocol and will play for the team the Sunday against the Miami Dolphins, the https://twitter.com/SteelersPRBurt/status/1583467992247341056″>team
announced on Friday.
Pickett’s return from a concussion was extremely rapid, as he was injured in the third quarter of the team’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday. Pickett was a full participant in the team’s practices on Wednesday and Thursday and head coach Mike Tomlin confirmed on Tuesday that Pickett will play if cleared.
Tomlin said there was not any consideration of going to backup Mitch Trubisky for this game, despite his strong finish against the Bucs.
“We’re not going to blow in the wind,” Tomlin said. “We’re going to be somewhat steady. I’ve been consistent in my messaging regarding decision making in that position. I think it helps those that are playing. I think it helps the team in terms of who to follow. We’re not going to flip the script now.”
In three games, Pickett has completed 55 of 83 for 514 yards, one touchdown and four interceptions. He took over the starting role from Trubisky at halftime of the team’s Week 4 game against the New York Jets.
Freiermuth and Wallace had a more-normal return from the concussion protocol. Both players were injured in the team’s Week 5 loss to the Buffalo Bills and were held out last week. Both Freiermuth and Wallace have been full participants in practice this week.
Zach Gentry and Connor Heyward replaced Freiermuth, while James Pierre replaced Wallace in Sunday’s win over Tampa Bay.
In addition to the players returning from the concussion protocol, the Steelers seem to be getting healthy overall. Only wide receiver and kick returner Steven Sims was not able to practice on Thursday.
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