The Pittsburgh Steelers have positioned themselves for a playoff berth, but their journey will become all the more difficult if their starting quarterback is unavailable. Kenny Pickett went down with an injury against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 13. Here’s the latest on the Steelers’ signal-caller.
Kenny Pickett Injury Update
Pickett stayed down on the field after a second-quarter rushing attempt on a 3rd-and-goal from Arizona’s 3-yard line. He took a hit to his right leg on the play, was slow to get up, and eventually went down again.
Pickett was finally able to walk off the field under his own power, but he was noticeably limping. After Mitchell Trubisky took over under center, running back Najee Harris failed to convert a 4th-and-goal on the next play.
#Steelers QB Kenny Pickett has to be helped off the field after diving for the endzone at the end of this run.
pic.twitter.com/aK8iJPyaXc— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) December 3, 2023
After spending time in the blue medical tent on Pittsbugh’s sideline, Pickett was taken to the club’s locker room near the two-minute warning.
The Steelers initially announced that Pickett was questionable to return with an ankle injury. However, they ruled him out before the start of the third quarter. Pickett returned to Pittsburgh’s bench sporting a walking boot.
Unfortunately, Pickett will be forced to undergo surgery on Monday and will miss two to four weeks, according to Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. As such, Trubisky will likely start against the New England Patriots on Thursday night and the Indianapolis Colts in Week 15, with Pickett’s status TBD entering Week 16.
Pickett has already dealt with injury issues this season. He suffered a bone bruise in Week 4 before working around a rib problem starting in Week 8.
Meanwhile, Pickett was listed on the Steelers’ injury report with an ankle injury heading into this week’s game. He fully practiced throughout the week, but his ankle was taped entering Sunday’s contest.
MORE: Pittsburgh Steelers Depth Chart
Pickett had completed seven of 10 attempts for 70 yards before departing. Trubisky hasn’t started a game in 2023, but he’d gone 18 of 32 for 156 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions in relief.
Fantasy Fallout From Pickett’s Injury
Combine this injury with the evolving nature of the Steelers’ offense now that ex-OC Matt Canada is no longer employed, and we have more questions than answers in Pittsburgh coming down the home stretch of the fantasy season.
Diontae Johnson and Pat Freiermuth are the targets in this passing game who are, theoretically, most QB-proof, given their work in the short passing game. Their opportunity count will remain similar with this change under center, but the value of those targets is well below average.
George Pickens was off to a good start before Pickett’s injury and stands to see his fantasy stock dip a bit. He doesn’t profile as a high-floor player in any situation, but a QB change stands to lower his already concerning floor. With or without Pickett, you’re best off not counting on any pass catcher in Pittsburgh for your fantasy playoff run.
— PFN Fantasy Analyst Kyle Soppe