Steelers Week 1 Opponent Likely To Have Key Player Back Sooner Than Expected After Unusual Football Injury

The Pittsburgh Steelers have one of the "easiest" schedules on paper heading into the 2023 season. The avenue to accomplishing as many as 12 wins could be in front of the team. That doesn't mean every game will be a piece of cake. The organization opens up the first game of the year against one of the best squads in the NFC: the San Francisco 49ers. Coming off a loss in the NFC Championship Game at the hands of the Philadelphia Eagles, the group will be looking to start 2023 off strong in an effort to get to the Super Bowl.

The Steelers have been underdogs in their previous two openers and ended up winning both against the Buffalo Bills in 2021 and Cincinnati Bengals in 2022. This will be the first home game Pittsburgh has hosted to begin a season since 2014 and the Terrible Towels will be ferociously waving. One of the bigger storylines will be quarterback, Kenny Pickett jumping into his sophomore year after having a full offseason as the unquestioned starter.

Another piece of the puzzle will be a player who some believe is the best quarterback to come out of the 2022 quarterback draft class. Brock "Mr. Irrelevant" Purdy was selected last overall in 2022 and was thrown into a starting role after injuries to both Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo in 2022. Purdy started five games in the regular season and threw for 13 touchdowns while only tossing four interceptions. 

In addition, he was 5-0 in the regular season and helped the team to the NFC Title Game. Unfortunately for the 49ers, he left the big game with an injury and it was later revealed that he suffered an ailment that usually happens on the baseball field. Purdy was diagnosed with a torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL). He received surgery in late March and recently began a throwing program.

Despite starting less than a third of San Francisco's games in 2022, Purdy was tabbed as more of a success than Pickett because of his journey as Mr. Irrelevant and the team's success. While it wasn't originally believed that the two would get to duel it out to start the 2023 season, the NFL may have been looking ahead and expecting Purdy to be ready to go. It now appears that may be the case.

According to Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports, Purdy is expected to be good to go for the first week of the season and is in line to make the start against the Steelers at Acrisure Stadium.

Pickett finished his rookie campaign after making 12 starts, but only had an underwhelming seven touchdowns tied in with nine interceptions. That also included a playoff-less season. Pickett came in with lofty expectations as the only signal-caller drafted within the first two rounds in 2022 while Purdy was barely expected to even make the roster. Despite that, Purdy is currently trending to have the better career based on the system he is in and end to his rookie year.

Steelers Will Have Their Hands Full In Week 1

The 49ers have a dominant offense that consists of Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel, George Kittle, among others. Not to mention, their defensive unit was one of, if not, the NFL's best in 2022. Adding a healthy Purdy into the mix may make things even tougher for Pittsburgh if the team wants to begin the season 1-0. It will come down to Pickett outshining Purdy. It could be the beginning of a long-term individual rivalry.

Are you worried that the Steelers may have to face off against Purdy in Week 1? Let us know in the comments below!

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