Steelers QB Kenny Pickett says he’s playing ‘for sure’ against Titans despite rib injury
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) scrambles on a run against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023, in Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett, right, doubles over as he leaves the field after getting shaken up against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023, in Pittsburgh. Quarterback Mitch Trubisky (10) prepares to come into the game.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) fires a pass against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023, in Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett, center, is helped after getting shaken up against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023, in Pittsburgh.
PITTSBURGH 鈥� Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett plans to play against Tennessee on Thursday night despite a rib injury that forced him to sit out the second half of a loss to Jacksonville on Sunday.
Pickett said he 鈥渇or sure鈥� will be on the field when Pittsburgh (4-3) hosts the Titans (3-4). The second-year starter watched the final two quarters against the Jaguars from afar after getting drilled by Jacksonville defensive end Adam Gotsis.
Gotsis hit Pickett in the left side of the chest and then drove him into the ground in the waning moments of the first half. Pickett sat on the soggy Acrisure Stadium turf for several minutes before slowly walking off. He came out to warm up for the second half, but then went back to the training room while backup Mitch Trubisky took over.
鈥�(I was) doing what I could to try and go back out there,鈥� Pickett said. 鈥淚 felt like I couldn鈥檛 throw it the way I needed to throw it to win so just listened to what the doctors said.鈥�
Asked if the play deserved a flag for unnecessary roughness, Pickett shrugged.
鈥淵ou know, I鈥檝e had a couple where I feel like I was going to get some (calls) but I haven鈥檛 gotten them yet,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t is what it is, I鈥檝e just got to keep playing.鈥�
The biggest issue for Pickett will be pain management, particularly on a short week. He did some 鈥渓ight鈥� throwing on Tuesday and could be more involved in Wednesday鈥檚 walkthrough. The only sure way for the ribs to heal is to rest, not an option with Pittsburgh playing twice in five days.
鈥淲e鈥檝e got to do what we鈥檝e got to do to play,鈥� Pickett said.
Pittsburgh鈥檚 offense has spent most of the first two months of the season essentially running in place. The Steelers are near the bottom of the league in every major statistical category, including points (29th) and yards (30th).
While offensive coordinator Matt Canada has come under heavy criticism, Pickett believes the issue isn鈥檛 the game plan, but the inability to execute with any sort of consistency.
Wide receiver Diontae Johnson dropped a pass down the middle of the field on the first play against Jacksonville and later saw a potential touchdown slip away when Pickett鈥檚 pass to the end zone went behind him because of what Pickett described as a 鈥渕iscommunication.鈥�
鈥淚t鈥檚 not about scripting, it鈥檚 not about anything,鈥� Pickett said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 about us playing and being better than what we鈥檙e doing right now. It鈥檚 not where it needs to be and it has to get better.鈥�
The Steelers used a run-heavy approach over the second half of last season to take some of the pressure off Pickett during his rookie season. Asked if his injury makes it even more important for Pittsburgh to be able to run the ball effectively, Pickett shook his head.
鈥淚鈥檓 not going to use (the ribs) as a crutch,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e鈥檝e got to play well.鈥�
Pickett does plan to use a flak jacket, something he鈥檚 used regularly throughout his career. He called the timing of the injury 鈥� which came with Pittsburgh finally starting to gain some momentum 鈥� 鈥渇rustrating鈥� but part of the game.
鈥淚鈥檝e been doing it for a little bit, it is what it is,鈥� he said. 鈥淵ou鈥檝e just got to be available and get ready to go on Thursday night.鈥�
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