Steelers Veteran Mitch Trubisky Quickly Named Starter If Kenny Pickett Is Unable To Play In Week 9

For the second time this season, Pittsburgh Steelers starting quarterback Kenny Pickett left a game with an injury. Last time, he didn't miss any starts, as he was available the week after. This time, the injury may be a bit more significant. While the severity or the specifics of the injury have still yet to be unveiled, his status for Week 9 remains up in the air. Additionally, the Steelers play on Thursday night, which really limits Pickett's chances of playing.

Pickett suffered a big hit right to the ribs, which forced veteran Mitch Trubisky to finish out the game. In his press conference on Monday, Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin stated that Pickett would essentially be a game-time decision against the Tennessee Titans. He unsurprisingly announced that Trubisky will start if Pickett is unable to play. 

Now in his second year with the team, Trubisky went 15-for-27 for 138 yards, along with a touchdown and two interceptions in Week 8. He didn't look great in the loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, and many fans pondered if Mason Rudolph would make more sense as a potential Week 9 starter. Rewind to training camp in 2022, and Trubisky was able to win the starting job over Rudolph and Pickett.

He was eventually benched after starting the first four games, and it's been Pickett's job ever since. The team did extend Trubisky this past offseason, while they also brought back Rudolph. There wasn't much of a market for the Oklahoma State product, so he opted to stay in Pittsburgh on a cheap one-year deal. He then outperformed Trubisky for the duration of training camp, yet the team still named Trubisky as the second-string QB to Pickett. 

Unfortunately, it's been a continuing theme in his six-year NFL career. While he hasn't exactly capitalized in his 10 career starts, Rudolph has never gotten a true chance in Pittsburgh either. As for the optimistic outlook for Pickett, the team does get the extended rest for Week 10 due to playing on Thursday night. That makes it more likely that he sits out a week before a possible return against the Green Bay Packers.

Steelers Have Other Injury Concerns

Elsewhere on the injury front, Tomlin already ruled out star safety Minkah Fitzpatrick for Week 9. He suffered a hamstring injury in Sunday's loss and was ruled out almost immediately. Tomlin didn't seem concerned with anyone else in terms of injuries, as the team is not practicing on Monday. They will get a day to rest up, and then Wednesday's practice will be a telling sign for Pickett's possibility of playing this week.

Fellow safety Damontae Kazee was mentioned by Tomlin, but he isn't concerned with his availability for Thursday Night Football. That safety unit could be awfully suspect though, as they lose their star leader back there. The Titans are coming off a major win in which DeAndre Hopkins scored three touchdowns. He should be the main priority for that secondary, as he can still beat you deep.

Last but not least on the injury front, Cam Heyward and Anthony McFarland Jr. both have chances to return this week. They remain on the IR at the moment, but they are in the midst of their 21-day windows to be activated. Heyward would bring a huge return to the defensive line, a group that has struggled against the run this season. It's still early in the week, but pay attention to that injury practice report on Wednesday, as that will be a sign on who will and won't play on Thursday evening.

If Pickett is unable to go, would you personally start Trubisky or Rudolph? Why does the organization continue to leave Rudolph out to dry? With Fitzpatrick out and Kazee banged up, how concerned are you for the safety unit in Week 9? Share your thoughts in the comment section below, yinz!

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