Mike Tomlin says Kenny Pickett will participate in practice despite bone bruise

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin revealed Tuesday that injured quarterback Kenny Pickett should be back at practice, Wednesday.

But from there, Tomlin isn’t sure when Pickett will be well enough to play in a game.

“Obviously his functionality and comfort will be the guide tomorrow,” Tomlin told reporters in regards to Kenny Pickett. “As we push forward toward the game, the quality of his work will be determining factor.”

Kenny Pickett has a bone bruise. Tomlin says he'll participate in practice tomorrow and they'll go from there.

"Obviously his functionality and comfort will be the guide tomorrow … as we push forward toward the game, the quality of his work will be determining factor."

— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) October 3, 2023

Kenny Pickett bruised his knee after a Texans sack

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported Tuesday that the Steelers expect Pickett to be fine. An MRI revealed no damage to the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.

Pickett injured his left knee Sunday when he was sacked by Houston Texans defensive end Jonathan Greenard on a fourth-and-1 call in the third quarter. Mitch Trubisky replaced Pickett.

Tomlin has a couple of options with Kenny Pickett. He can start him Sunday in a key divisional matchup against the Ravens at Acrisure Stadium. Or, he can wait for another game, knowing that the Steelers have a bye after Baltimore and don’t play again until Oct. 22.

It’s not like Pickett, or the offense, was performing well against the Texans. Before the injury, Pickett had completed 15 of his 23 passes for 114 yards and an interception. The Texans also sacked him three times.

Tomlin promised changes after loss to Houston

Pittsburgh fell to Houston, 30-6. The Texans led 16-6 when Pickett was hurt. After the turnover on downs, Houston scored a touchdown on their subsequent drive. Tribusky, after replacing Pickett, completed three of his five attempts for 18 yards and the Steelers didn’t score another point.

Conversely, the Texans, behind rookie quarterback CJ Stroud, doubled the Steelers yardage (451 to 225) and had little resistance in winning their second game of the season. Stroud, the No. 2 pick of the draft, threw for 306 yards. While second-year back Dameon Pierce rushed for 81 yards.

Tomlin took it all in. In his post-game comments, he promised to address the offensive issues.

“We’ve got to make some changes,” Tomlin said. “That was an ugly product we put out there today. We’re not going to do the same things and hope for a different outcome. We’ll put those changes in place in our preparation this week.”

Will that change be at quarterback? Trubisky started for the Steelers last season until Kenny Pickett, the Steelers first-round draft pick, beat him out.