Mitch Trubisky to start for Steelers vs. Panthers, Kenny Pickett remains in concussion protocol, per report

The Pittsburgh Steelers will start Mitch Trubisky at quarterback against the Carolina Panthers, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport. Rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett was in the concussion protocol this week and was initially doubtful for the contest.

“The Steelers are expected to start QB Mitch Trubisky vs. the Panthers on Sunday, sources say, with coach Mike Tomlin going back to signal-caller who has served as their backup all season,” Rapoport wrote on Twitter. “Kenny Pickett (doubtful) is still in the concussion protocol.”

In his first year out of Pittsburgh, Pickett has 1,797 yards, four touchdowns, eight interceptions and a 65% completion percentage. Pickett was the No. 20 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.

Pickett went down early in the Steelers’ latest matchup, as he was sacked hard by Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith on their first offensive possession of the game. It appeared that Pickett’s head my contact with the ground on the play and he entered concussion protocol and would never return to the game.

Pickett was replaced by Trubisky, who started the first four games of the season before being replaced by Pickett. Trubisky struggled in his relief role against the Ravens throwing three interceptions in a 16-14 loss to a team also fighting through injury in Baltimore, who was missing star quarterback Lamar Jackson on Sunday and lost backup Tyler Huntley to injury in the third quarter.

Pickett led the Steelers to two straight wins prior to his injury, as the Steelers hope for a speedy recovery from their first-round draft pick with four games remaining in the regular season.

Trubisky will try to pull the team out of a three-point deficit versus Baltimore with 12 minutes left in the second quarter. Prior to his exit, Pickett was 0-1 passing with one sack. He also had 16 yards on two rushes. Najee Harris scored the first touchdown of the game with a one-yard run.

This is the Steelers’ first of two matchups versus Baltimore in the span of a month. Pittsburgh is 5-7 while the Ravens are 8-4 on the year.

The Steelers had a questionable injury situation heading into the game on Sunday.

Star edge rusher T.J. Watt was questionable for the contest after missing Thursday’s practice. He was a limited participant in practice on Friday, the same as Wednesday.

Diontae Johnson, one of the Steelers’ top pass catchers, is also questionable after following the same practice participation pattern as Watt. While Watt is unquestionably the best player on the Pittsburgh defense — and likely the team — Johnson is an integral part of the passing game.

The only other player limited for Pittsburgh entering the weekend was linebacker Malik Reed. Reed missed practice on Wednesday but fully participated the next two days.

Kaiden Smith contributed to this report