For the second time this season, Pittsburgh Steelers rookie quarterback, Kenny Pickett left the game with a concussion. As a result, the offense was forced to put veteran Mitch Trubisky in at quarterback. The results weren’t encouraging, as Trubisky threw three costly interceptions en route to the team’s three-point loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
Credit: Jordan Schofield/SteelerNation (JSKO_PHOTO Twitter)
The loss essentially ended any hopes and dreams of the Steelers making the postseason in 2022. Sitting at 5-8 now, if they were to win their final four games, 9-8 likely wouldn’t be good enough. It was a missed opportunity too, as the defense didn’t have to worry about Lamar Jackson, who missed the game with a knee injury that he suffered last week. In fact, the Ravens backup QB Tyler Huntley suffered a concussion in the game, so the Steelers defense was able to face third-string Anthony Brown for awhile.
Pickett’s status for Week 15 against the Carolina Panthers is now in doubt as well. Since it’s his second of the season, head coach Mike Tomlin may hold him out an extra week. Then, it would become the question of whether Trubisky or Mason Rudolph should be the starter. Rewinding back to the play though, Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith slammed Pickett’s head to the ground. In the process, it seems as if he grabbed the rookie’s facemask, as the refs perhaps missed a call there.
Obviously Smith grabbed Pickett’s face mask, slammed Kenny into the ground and as the video shows, still had a hold of the face mask when Kenny was on the ground.
— Obviously (Not) Tomlin (@Tomlin_Sense) December 11, 2022
No penalty.#Steelers #Ravens #NFL pic.twitter.com/6xfriNRXYj
Shout out to @Tomlin_Sense on the video there, as it seems like this was an obvious missed call. If it were any other quarterback around the league, like a Tom Brady, it likely would have been called. Of course, it wouldn't have changed the fact that Pickett suffered a concussion. It also wouldn't have changed the fact that Trubisky threw three interceptions. It would have been a 15-yard penalty, which would have held Smith accountable for the facemask and unnecessary slamming of the rookie quarterback.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported on Monday morning that Pickett is indeed in concussion protocol. It was a shock to even see the rookie return to the game after he was slammed to the ground, especially with the NFL's recent dealing with concussions overall. As of now, it would be surprising to see him play in Week 15.
Credit: Jordan Schofield/SteelerNation (JSKO_PHOTO Twitter)
Should Smith have been called for grabbing Pickett's facemask? Who should start at QB next week: Trubisky or Rudolph? With the playoff hopes all but gone, what do you want to see from this team in the last month of the 2022 season? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
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