Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback, Kenny Pickett will officially return to action this weekend against the Las Vegas Raiders after practicing fully on Thursday. The rookie missed last week's contest due to another concussion suffered in Week 14. With two concussions in the first few months of his NFL career, he's making a change. Pickett will be rocking a new helmet on Saturday night, something he's tested out at practice throughout the past two weeks.
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end, Pat Freiermuth rocks a helmet similar to what quarterback Kenny Pickett will wear on Saturday and moving forward. Credit: Jordan Schofield/SteelerNation (JSKO_PHOTO Twitter)
It's a similar situation to what Steelers tight end, Pat Freiermuth went through as a rookie in 2021. After he suffered two concussions in a relatively short amount of time, he switched to a Riddell Tru-Fit Axiom helmet. The new helmet, which looks quite bigger than the Riddell one that most players wear, will now be worn by the Steelers' signal-caller as well. Via Mark Kaboly of The Athletic, Pickett detailed what went into the decision to make the switch:
“The doctors suggested it. They had really good results with it, so I trust what they say 100 percent — I want to be safe. I think it’s comfortable," Pickett said via Kaboly's article. "Slamming my head off the ground is what has been an issue. It was a little too wide where a fist could literally go through it. So I don’t want to get punched in the face on Saturday. I was like, I will wear a visor and be good to go. Getting the facemask right was the biggest concern."
This helmet is obviously seen as a far more safer option for players, especially those that have had multiple concussions. It's all apart of the league's aim to make the sport more healthy for these players, particularly for the long-term. The helmet has a "speed flex" in the back of the helmet, which helps limit the likelihood when he's slammed to the ground. His two concussions have come from just that, a bit of whiplash when slammed into the ground.
Credit: Jordan Schofield/SteelerNation (JSKO_PHOTO Twitter)
An obvious question persists, 'then why don't more players wear it?' Well, Kaboly said players simply don't like the look of it. As it continues to become a clearly more safe option though, the helmet will likely become more popular in the next few years. Pickett plans to where it beyond just this weekend, as he's trying his best to avoid another concussion in the future.
The rookie doesn't plan on altering the way he plays the game though. That's the risk mobile quarterbacks take when leaving the pocket. Of course, it's become a prevalent part of modern football. In 10 games, Pickett has accumulated 44 carries for 225 rushing yards. It's been mostly effective too, as he's tacked on three touchdowns on the ground. This helmet will help him continue to utilize his mobility, while making it a bit safer in the process.
Are you concerned with concussions becoming an issue for Pickett? Beyond the looks of it, why aren't more players wearing these helmets? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!
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