The Pittsburgh Steelers lost a heartbreaking game in Week 8 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, in which they saw their young quarterback Kenny Pickett suffer his second injury of the season. He was hit hard by one of the Jaguars defenders at the end of the first half of the Week 8 contest, which resulted in Pickett suffering a rib injury that was later diagnosed as a rib contusion. During Head Coach Mike Tomlin's press conference on Monday, he said Pickett would be day to day.
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Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett, (#8) stands on the field at St. Vincent College as Pittsburgh practice during 2023 training camp in Latrobe, PA.
Steelers' Pickett Says He Will Play Thursday Night
Despite Tomlin saying Pickett will just be day-to-day for Thursday Night Football against the Titans, Pickett came out on Tuesday during his media availability and declared that he would play in Week 9. Picket discussed his rib injury and what exactly stopped him from returning to the game against Jacksonville on Sunday.
"I felt like I couldn't throw it the way I need to throw it to help this team win. So listening to what the doctor said and went from there."
Pickett did not return to the game after suffering his injury and was replaced by Mitch Trubisky who struggled mightily despite having a touchdown pass to George Pickens. It was good news for Steelers fans when Pickett was asked if he felt like he would be ready to go against the Titans. Pickett kept his answer short and sweet.
"I'm playing for sure."
This is the second time this year Pickett will be playing in a game directly after suffering a game-ending injury the week before. In Week 4 against the Houston Texans, Pickett suffered a knee injury which kept him out of the remainder of that game, but he would go on to start the next week in a win against the Baltimore Ravens.
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Quarterback Mitch Trubisky will be looked upon to help carry the load if Kenny Pickett is forced to miss time.
Trubisky threw two interceptions against Jacksonville when the Steelers still had a chance to win the game, and one was into triple coverage deep down the field to Allen Robinson II. He took unnecessary sacks and ultimately contributed a lot to the Steelers loss. There has been a lot of criticism thrown Pickett's way throughout the 2023 season, but after watching Trubisky play a full half on Sunday, it is clear Pickett gives this team the best chance to win.
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Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter / X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett (#8) has a reputation for fourth quarter comebacks during his short career.
Pickett will be taking on a Titans' defense that just recently gave up 23 points to the Atlanta Falcons. The Titans started their rookie quarterback Will Levis for the first time in Week 8 and he threw for four touchdowns and 238 yards, so Pickett and the offense will have their work cut out for them to try and keep up and win the game.
What do you think about Pickett playing this week? Let us know in the comments below!
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