Steelers QB Kenny Pickett Out with Ankle Injury

PITTSBURGH — Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett suffered an injury against the Arizona Cardinals after a scramble attempt while trying to get a touchdown. Pickett is questionable to return with an ankle injury. He limped off the field and went right into the blue medical tent. The Steelers ruled him out of the game at halftime. He was seen in the second half with a walking boot on his right ankle.

Pickett warmed up with a brace on his injured right ankle coming into the game. He was listed on the injury report all week and Mike Tomlin described the injury as ‘ankle discomfort’. Pickett ended up being a full participant in practice all week.

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett wears a brace in warmups before his team’s game against the Arizona Cardinals on Dec. 3, 2023. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now

Pickett himself brushed off the injury when he spoke with the media on Wednesday.

“Just throughout the game, just something that I have to manage,” he said. “I’ve had something similar before. Not too big of a deal.”

That previous ankle discomfort is something to watch, and Pittsburgh has to worry about that injury. However, after coming out of the blue medical, Pickett ended up coming out and going straight to the locker room. That does not bode well for his availability for the Steelers the rest of the way.

The second-year Steelers quarterback has missed time twice this season. He suffered a knee injury against the Houston Texans in Week 4 and then suffered a rib injury against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 8.

Both times, he left the game and was replaced by Mitch Trubisky, but he was able to return to the starting lineup the following week, so Pickett is no stranger to playing through pain. Now, Trubisky will have a chance to make a play once again. Mason Rudolph is the emergency third quarterback if Trubisky suffers an injury. The Steelers will look to rely upon Trubisky and their run game to lead them to victory.