The Pittsburgh Steelers have entered the most critical part of the 2023 season — the push for the postseason.
But will they have to make this push without starting quarterback Kenny Pickett?
Latest on Kenny Pickett and His Health
Pickett won’t be available for the Steelers’ upcoming Saturday contest against the Cincinnati Bengals. Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin officially ruled him out on Thursday.
Pickett has been away from the Steelers after needing surgery on his ankle earlier in December.
While most NFL fans will read that and believe Pickett is officially on the shelf for the rest of the year, he hasn’t officially been ruled out completely with three games left.
Pickett underwent what was described as “tightrope” surgery on his right ankle, which he injured during the loss to the Arizona Cardinals on Dec. 3.
How the Steelers Have Fared Without Pickett
The Steelers remain in playoff contention at 7-7 overall.
However, their season is beginning to fade fast, especially with Pickett still on the mend.
Pittsburgh will turn to familiar backup Mason Rudolph in an attempt to salvage whatever is left of its playoff hopes, as Rudolph was officially named the QB1 Thursday. But Rudolph becomes the third QB to line up behind center for the Steelers.
MORE: Pittsburgh Steelers Depth Chart
Without Pickett, Pittsburgh took back-to-back damaging losses in the last two weeks. The first one was against the struggling New England Patriots on Thursday Night Football, falling 21-18. Pittsburgh then fell even more, getting trounced on the road 30-13 against the surging Indianapolis Colts.
Even with Pickett in the lineup, the Steelers endured one narrow AFC North loss to the Cleveland Browns (13-10 on Nov. 19) but defeated the Bengals (16-10 on Nov. 26) to earn their seventh win.
Can Pickett Still Return? Pittsburgh’s Upcoming Schedule
Pickett, per Tomlin, has been taking part in light warmup sessions in practice. But it’s Rudolph currently handling the running the first-team show.
Healthy or not, Pickett and the Steelers have a fierce gauntlet in front of them if they want to make any attempt at ending their three-game slide and staying in the AFC playoff picture.
MORE: PFN’s FREE NFL Playoff Predictor
It begins Saturday with hosting a Bengals team that’s discovered new momentum without franchise QB Joe Burrow.
Since the Steelers loss, Cincy is on a three-game winning streak that involves beating three teams in their own playoff picture: Jacksonville (34-31 on Dec. 4 in overtime), Indianapolis (34-14 rout on Dec. 10), and last Saturday against Minnesota (27-24 in overtime).
But after the road trip to Cincy, the Steelers have two more obstacles — one involving a team with renewed playoff hopes and the other the potential top seed in the AFC.
On New Year’s Eve, the Steelers head to the Pacific Northwest to face a Seattle Seahawks team that is very much still alive for the NFC playoffs, thanks to their 20-17 thriller over the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday Night Football. The season ends against a Baltimore Ravens team gunning for home-field advantage in the postseason.
Pickett, again, hasn’t been ruled out for the rest of 2023. But if he does return after the Saturday game, he’ll still have to find a way to keep the Steelers afloat during this late-season skid.
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