Steelers to Start Mitch Trubisky against Patriots if Kenny Pickett Can’t Play

PITTSBURGH — Mitch Trubisky will be the starting quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers this Thursday Night when they host the New England Patriots.

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin confirmed on Sunday after the team’s 24-10 loss to the Arizona Cardinals that Trubisky will continue to fill in for starter Kenny Pickett, as long as he is injured and Pickett almost certainly will be out this week.

Pickett suffered a right ankle injury that may require surgery and will likely have him out multiple weeks late in the first half against the Cardinals.

RELATED: Kenny Pickett Needs Ankle Surgery, Out Multiple Weeks

For the third time this season, Trubisky entered the game in place of Pickett. He also filled in when Pickett suffered a knee injury in Week 4 against the Houston Texans and in Week 9 when Pickett suffered a rib injury against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

On the season, Trubisky is 29 of 49 (59%) for 273 yards (5.6 yards per attempt), two touchdowns, two interceptions and a 71.2 passer rating. He has also been sacked twice and lost one fumble.

The Steelers have lost all three of the game that Trubisky replaced Pickett in, but were also trailing when Trubisky entered the game in all three. Tomlin said he’s rolling with his veteran backup against the Patriots.

“We’ll roll with Mitch, if (Kenny) can’t play,” Tomlin said.

The Steelers have only one other option beside Trubisky, and that is third-string quarterback Mason Rudolph. Rudolph has served as the team’s emergency third quarterback in every game this season, but has not seen game action since the preseason, and also has not gotten much of any work with the Steelers offense during practices.

Trubisky was signed in 2022 to be the Steelers’ starting quarterback before Pickett took over. He’s played in nine games and made five starters for the Steelers, with a 2-3 record as a starter.