Steelers QB Kenny Pickett says he'll be 'ready to go' for Sunday after knee injury

Kenny Pickett, who is dealing with a bone bruise, proclaimed Wednesday that he won’t miss a start versus the Ravens.

The Steelers quarterback wore a bulky brace on his left knee at the start of practice Wednesday afternoon. Moments earlier, he talked to reporters about his plans for practicing and playing this week.

Pickett injured his knee in the third quarter of Sunday’s 30-6 loss to the Texans. He said he’d been worried about how serious his knee injury might be. That was because of what the doctors told him and “what they were worried about.

“Got lucky it was what it was,” Pickett said. “I’m pushing to go, Sunday.”

Steelers QB Kenny Pickett says he’ll be “ready to go by Sunday”

He also said he was worried the knee injury would be worse based on what the doctors said initially, and he got lucky. pic.twitter.com/m5mSeimmwk

— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) October 4, 2023

Kenny Pickett said he’ll wear brace in practice, not in game

However, Pickett said he didn’t plan on wearing the brace for Sunday’s home game against the Ravens at Acrisure Stadium.

Check out the video clips from the start of Wednesday’s practice.

Kenny Pickett is wearing a bulky brace on his left knee. Here he is moving around during some drills at practice. pic.twitter.com/Fie2E4icXO

— Mike DeFabo (@MikeDeFabo) October 4, 2023

Earlier this week, coach Mike Tomlin said Kenny Pickett’s response to practice is the key.

“The more functional and more comfortable he is, the more work he’ll get,” Tomlin said of his starting quarterback. “And then as we push forward towards the game, the quality of his work will be a determining factor on his availability. A quarterback is no different than any other position with young players. They need to inhale the perspective on preparation. He knows and understands that he’s prepared to practice.”

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 then replaced Pickett. He’d be the first option if Pickett misses the start against the Ravens.

Tomlin does have some options with Pickett. Of course, he can start him Sunday. The game is a significant divisional matchup against the Ravens. Or, Tomlin can wait for another game, knowing that the Steelers have a bye after Baltimore and don’t play again until Oct. 22.

Even with Kenny Pickett under center, the offense has been faltering to open the season. Before his injury Sunday, Pickett had completed 15 of his 23 passes for 114 yards and an interception. The Texans also sacked him three times. The fourth-and-one play was a controversial one amongst the Steeler faithful.

Former Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was a big no on the play.

“I hated the play call,” the ex Steelers quarterback said on his podcast.