Steelers' own coach spills the beans on much scrutinized storyline
It's official. The Pittsburgh Steelers are listing QB Kenny Pickett as "doubtful" for Sunday's game against the Carolina Panthers, Mike Tomlin confirmed on Friday. Essentially, that means the Steelers would need a miracle for Pickett to suit up. Instead, one of the two backup quarterbacks will get the start on Sunday. Mitch Trubisky, who lost […]
It's official. The Pittsburgh Steelers are listing QB Kenny Pickett as "doubtful" for Sunday's game against the Carolina Panthers, Mike Tomlin confirmed on Friday.
Essentially, that means the Steelers would need a miracle for Pickett to suit up.
Instead, one of the two backup quarterbacks will get the start on Sunday. Mitch Trubisky, who lost the starting job and threw three interceptions off of the bench last weekend, or Mason Rudolph, who's been inactive all season long and has had no reps in practice.
The Steelers – particularly head coach Mike Tomlin – can play the secrecy game all they want but it would take a major, shock-of-the-season kind of surprise to see Rudolph get the start over Trubisky.
Trubisky will be the guy getting the start on Sunday.
Even Steelers offensive coordinator Matt Canada gave it away earlier this week when explaining the reason why Rudolph is getting reps in the first place.
"I think we certainly don't want to have happen what happened on Sunday," Canada told reporters on Thursday. "But on the fifth play of the game, our quarterback got banged out."
"I think it would be a disservice to everybody to sit there and have Mason come in and play not having had any reps. As we proceed forward, I think it's our job to make sure he's ready to play, when and if that would occur. Obviously, we don't want that to occur."
Now granted, the Steelers could be playing mind games and shock us by starting Rudolph at the last second. But actions reps speak louder than words and Trubisky has been the guy getting those.
Featured image via Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
