Steelers list Kenny Pickett as limited on estimated injury report

The Pittsburgh Steelers (4-3) listed quarterback Kenny Pickett as limited on their estimated injury report Monday after he sustained a ribs injury in the 20-10 Week 8 defeat to the Jacksonville Jaguars (6-2).

Head coach Mike Tomlin said that Pickett will likely be a game-time decision for the Week 9 home tilt against the Tennessee Titans (3-4) Thursday.

“I think the door is definitively ajar for Kenny,” Tomlin said, via the team’s website. “It’ll probably be a game-time type decision based on the information that I’m holding here today. With no structural damage to his ribs. We’ll see how we go through the week. His ability to throw, his level of comfort, his effectiveness. [We’ll] let that be our guide in terms of determining his availability.”

Pickett exited Sunday’s game after landing hard on his right side after being hit on an incomplete pass. Pickett stayed down for a few moments before walking off the field in pain. The 25-year-old was holding his rib area as he went into the locker room. Mitch Trubisky replaced Pickett for the remainder of the game. Pickett was struggling before the injury, completing just 10-of-16 passes for 73 yards. 

Steelers Monday injury report

QB Kenny Pickett (Rib) – Limited
CB Damontae Kazee (Hand) – Limited
RB Anthony McFarland Jr. (Knee) – Limited
CB Levi Wallace (Foot) – Limited
S Minkah Fitzpatrick (Hamstring) – DNP
DL Cameron Heyward (Groin) – Limited

Unfortunately for the Steelers, Pickett wasn’t the only key player to go down with an injury. Star safety Minkah Fitzpatrick suffered a hamstring injury in the first half which sidelined him for the remainder of the game. Tomlin has already ruled out Fitzpatrick for Thursday’s game.

“Minkah could be characterized as out. He’s got a hamstring injury,” Tomlin said. “I don’t have additional information in terms of time of that injury, but it’s safe to say that he’s not going to be available to us on the short week. Obviously the loss of Minkah is a significant one. It’s a multi-man job, not a one-man job thankfully.

“We have some veterans back there, guys like [Miles] Killebrew and [Damontae] Kazee and Keanu Neal who are veteran NFL players, and that lessens the impact hopefully, but obviously it’s not a one-man job when you’re talking about replacing Minkah, whether you’re talking about his play making ability or his hub of communication ability.”