Steelers’ Mike Tomlin ends any Kenny Pickett concussion controversy

If you witnessed the beatdown that the Pittsburgh Steelers experienced on Sunday, perhaps you saw the third play of the game. QB Kenny Pickett was slammed to the grass relatively hard, with some speculating that he may have experienced a concussion, adding a possible reason to his poor play. Well, not only did Coach Tomlin […]

Rob Gregson — NFL News Writer

Sep 13, 2023 9:37 AM EDT

If you witnessed the beatdown that the Pittsburgh Steelers experienced on Sunday, perhaps you saw the third play of the game.

QB Kenny Pickett was slammed to the grass relatively hard, with some speculating that he may have experienced a concussion, adding a possible reason to his poor play.

Well, not only did Coach Tomlin believe that was an excuse, but he also said there was never any concern:

"We're Not Looking for Comfort or Excuses"

Should the Steelers have looked at Pickett for a concussion after this hit on the 3rd play of the game? Look at the way his head slams off the Acrisure Stadium turf. pic.twitter.com/prtWMzjtMc
— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) September 11, 2023

This is the play in question by many watching the game both live and sometime later. And while it may look similar to some of the hits that QBs experiencing concussion-like symptoms have taken, Kenny Pickett showed no reason to believe he was injured:

“Level of banged up, I’m not certain of, but there is so many protocols in place now,” Coach Tomlin told reporters. “There are independent medical specialists and so forth. I’d imagine that the quarterback position has less of my eyes directly than it used to because of it. So, I didn’t have direct eyes on what it is that you mentioned, but obviously, I saw it after. But there was no hesitancy from the independent medical experts, he didn’t express any symptoms relative to that play you mentioned, and so it was a nondiscussion for us."

Obviously having faith in both his medical staff and the UNC (Unaflliated Neural Consultant) if Pickett showed no symptoms and was ready to go, then the controversy should never have arisen.

The issue is that his play was so poor for the rest of the game, that it left some in the media speculating that the play was a reason for his struggles, something Coach T shut down quickly:

“We’re not looking for comfort or excuses,” Tomlin told the reporter who asked if the play affected Pickett. “The tape is who we are. So, we’re gonna work to change the tape that we have control over. That tape’s in the bin. It’s his, it’s mine, it’s ours. Monday night is a little bit different.”

And as we stand, there is one Steelers starter in concussion protocol, but it's not Kenny Pickett, and barring anything crazy, it won't be, with all attention directed toward Monday Night Football.