Report: Steelers signing QB Trace McSorley to practice squad after Kenny Pickett injury

The Pittsburgh Steelers are reportedly turning to quarterback Trace McSorley to add some depth at the position following Kenny Pickett‘s injury on Sunday. Pickett injured his ankle in the loss against the Cardinals and underwent surgery on Monday morning, which will knock him out for at least one game. ESPN insider Adam Schefter reported McSorley’s signing shortly after Mike Tomlin’s press conference on Monday during which the head coach declared Pickett out for Thursday Night Football against the Patriots.

This isn’t the first time this season that a team with an injured starter has called McSorley’s number for some backup. In October, he signed with the Chicago Bears as starting quarterback Justin Fields dealt with a dislocated thumb.

McSorley spent the first three seasons of his NFL career with the Baltimore Ravens. He had a one-year stop with the Arizona Cardinals in 2022 and spent time with the New England Patriots during the 2023 preseason.

For his career, McSorley has appeared in nine games and made one start, which came during the 2022 season with the Cardinals. He has thrown for 502 yards with a touchdown and five interceptions.

Prior to arriving in the NFL, McSorley was a standout quarterback at Penn State. He was a second-team All-B1G selection for three straight seasons (2016-18).

Mike Tomlin rules Kenny Pickett out following ankle surgery

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin announced that quarterback Kenny Pickett underwent successful surgery on his ankle on Monday following his injury in the game against Arizona. Although the surgery was successful, the Steelers are still ruling Pickett out for Thursday Night Football against the New England Patriots.

Tomlin would not say how many games the QB might miss beyond the Week 14 matchup. Asked whether there was season-ending concern regarding the injury, the head coach said, “No.”

Pickett entered Sunday’s matchup with a pre-existing ankle issue and had to exit the game in the first half after being tackled near the goal line. He’s now expected to miss 2-4 weeks as he recovers, however, the team isn’t planning to put him on IR.

The starting QB was 8-for-11 for 75 yards prior to the injury on Sunday. Without him, the team turned to Mitch Trubisky. Trubisky’s effort, however, wasn’t enough to overcome the sudden offensive bursts from the Cardinals. The Steelers will now turn to the backup once again to take on the two-win Patriots. Behind Trubisky, the Steelers also have Mason Rudolph for depth.