PITTSBURGH — Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett underwent ankle surgical procedure to “speed up the therapeutic course of” on a excessive sprain to his proper ankle, coach Mike Tomlin stated Monday.
Pickett can be out for Thursday’s recreation towards the New England Patriots, and whereas coach Mike Tomlin declined to provide a selected timetable for the quarterback’s return, he stated the harm isn’t season-ending.
“They’re going to all the time come out of the O.R. with some data in that regard, however I am simply not aware about it as I sit right here at the moment,” Tomlin stated when requested about Pickett’s restoration timeline. “That is why I framed it the way in which that I framed it. Relaxation assured, he will not be accessible this week.”
Pickett underwent a “TightRope” process, sources informed ESPN. The quarterback had the same ankle stabilization process completed on his left ankle in 2020 whereas at Pitt and returned after 4 weeks.
Quarterback Mitch Trubisky took over for Pickett in Sunday’s loss to the Arizona Cardinals and can begin towards the Patriots, whereas Mason Rudolph will again him up.
“He will get probably the most work,” Tomlin stated, explaining the choice to start out Trubisky over Rudolph. “You’ll be able to’t give work to 3 guys, to be fairly sincere with you. Most of Mason Rudolph’s work comes on a scout workforce offense and so Mitch has been positioned to get the work.”
The Steelers additionally signed former Penn State quarterback Hint McSorley to the apply squad Monday.
Thursday will mark the seventh time in 26 video games Trubisky has performed due to an harm to Pickett. Tomlin, although, dismissed the concept Pickett’s repeated accidents are a priority.
“He was managing that ankle previous to yesterday,” Tomlin stated. “I feel it was listed on the harm report on daily basis final week and so it acquired aggravated, and we simply did what was essential by way of addressing it.
“I do not know that we’re viewing it as one thing that is continual, significantly with one thing like an ankle harm, and so we’re simply coping with this on a case-by-case foundation as we sit right here proper now.”
Earlier this season, Pickett left two video games early with a knee bruise and a ribs harm. After taking on the beginning job early within the 2022 season, Pickett exited two video games early with concussions and missed one begin.
The Steelers are 0-3 in video games the place Trubisky needed to take over this season, whereas they went 2-1 final season when Trubisky both took over or began after Pickett had turn into the full-time starter in Week 5.
This season, Trubisky has accomplished 29 of 49 makes an attempt for 273 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions.
“He is been a franchise quarterback earlier than,” Tomin stated of Trubisky. “He is snug in these sneakers. He does not behave like a backup as being elevated, and I feel these are issues that make him engaging.”
Trubisky will step in to face a protection that has held opponents to seven factors or fewer up to now three outings. The Patriots’ passing protection has additionally improved in its previous three video games, limiting opposing offenses to a mean of 189.3 yards.
However tight finish Pat Freiermuth expressed confidence in Trubisky whereas downplaying the notion that shedding Pickett is deflating to the Steelers and their postseason hopes.
“It’s going to be the identical offense.” Freiermuth stated Monday. “Mitch takes reps in apply, and we’ve got full confidence in Mitch to execute the sport plan. We’re simply full steam forward.”
