Inside the decision-making process between Trubisky, Rudolph

The burning question on everyone's mind is who will start at quarterback for the Steelers this Sunday in Charlotte, N.C.

Kenny Pickett is in the concussion protocol, and Mike Tomlin refused to name a clear starter earlier this week in case Pickett can't go. 

But when he addressed the media Thursday at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, Matt Canada might have given a small hint to who the starter might be, or at the very least why Mason Rudolph has all of a sudden earned some first-team reps in practice.

"Part of that is we're making sure we're in a situation where everybody's ready to play," Canada said. "We've had two quarterbacks playing all year and Mason has been a third and hasn't had a lot of reps at all. You want to prepare your football team to get ready to play. I don't think it's that abnormal to get them both ready, give them reps."

The most recent depth chart has Mitch Trubisky ahead of Rudolph. And while Trubisky completed 22 of 30 passes for 276 yards and a touchdown in relief of Pickett last week, he also threw three interceptions -- all inside the Baltimore 20-yard line.

But, when asked directly if the decision to split first team reps between Trubisky and Rudolph had anything to do with any mistrust in Trubisky, Canada reinforced his initial answer. And it's all about being as prepared as possible for Pickett's potential absence.

"We certainly don't want to have happen what happened on Sunday. On the fifth play of the game, our quarterback got banged out. I think it would be a disservice to everybody to have Mason come in and play not having had any reps," Canada explained. "As we proceed forward, I think it's our job to make sure he's ready to play, when and if that would occur."

Read that last sentence again: "As we proceed forward, I think it's our job to make sure he's ready to play, when and if that would occur."

In addition, Trubisky and Rudolph have been taking reps in the respective order of the depth chart, and Trubisky is the quarterback scheduled to speak to the media after Friday's practice if Pickett is not cleared from concussion protocol (players in the protocol cannot speak with the media). 

While Rudolph already addressed the media this week, his meeting was improvised while Trubisky's is scheduled. And, the starting quarterback is always scheduled to speak to the media every week. That typically comes on Wednesdays, but the Steelers are playing the whole week by ear regarding Pickett's status.

Remember, Tomlin said Pickett will play if he clears the protocol. The rookie still has first dibs when all three are healthy.

If you look at the evidence laid out, Trubisky would be the first choice to start in Pickett's stead. So don't be shocked when and if Trubisky is officially announced as the starter if Pickett is ruled out.

However, because the one challenging Trubisky for the chance to start is the most experienced quarterback in the Steelers' room, never say never. And, the way Rudolph has handled being the distant, inactive third quarterback has impressed both coaches and players on the South Side.

"I think Mason's handled the situation very well. Nobody wants to not get to play. Nobody wants to be in the situation he's been in. It’s not like he had a bad camp or didn't do anything well, he just had two guys that ended up ranked ahead of him on the depth chart," Canada said. "So, I think Mason has been really a pro the whole way and has tried to help the guys who are playing and he's excited to get some reps. But I think he's been ready to go all year. It’s been fun being around him all year. I think he's handled it as well as anybody could possibly handle it."

"I want to see him play," Diontae Johnson said of Rudolph. "I know it's probably in the back of his mind, 'when am I going to get my chance.' I feel like this week is it for him. I know he is going to do everything it takes to prepare this week and get ready for Sunday."

Johnson's ringing endorsement of Rudolph grabbed the attention of those on social media and aggregation websites, but failed to add the context that Johnson also credited Trubisky with the offense's ability to move the ball downfield against Baltimore. In addition to his 9.2 yards per attempt, Trubisky was a big reason why the offense averaged a season-high 6.2 yards per play in the game.

"We were taking chances, taking shots, not being scared at times," Johnson said of Trubisky. "Sometimes you want to not do that in certain moments because it hurts us. At the end of the day, it shows we're trying to make plays downfield."

Whether it's Trubisky or Rudolph starting this Sunday, the Steelers are thankful to have this kind of depth when the starting quarterback is potentially unavailable. It's the main reason why Rudolph was never traded amid a swirl of rumors. They wanted a quarterback of his experience at their disposal, either as a starter or backup.

"We're fortunate to have a deep quarterback room," Canada said. "We have guys who have all started. Mason has started games. Mitch has obviously started a lot of football games. Mason has started games for us in the past. You never want to be in this situation, but we're in as good a spot as we could be where we're at. We just have to proceed forward and get ready to play."

MORE FROM THE SOUTH SIDE

• It shouldn't come as any surprise that Johnson might prefer Rudolph, and even go as far to say, "That's my guy." It has less to do with the dust up with Trubisky at halftime during the loss to the Jets and more to do with the experience he's shared with Rudolph.

"He was on the field my rookie year," Johnson said of Rudolph. "I'm familiar with him. It's nothing new."

• Regardless of who lines up at quarterback, Johnson said the receivers can't be focused on hoping Kenny plays or whether it's Trubisky or Rudolph under center.

"No matter who it is, I'm going to be ready," Johnson said. "It doesn't matter who is throwing the ball, as long as you're making a play on the ball."

• The last time Johnson scored a touchdown was in last season's finale against the Browns. 

"I am trying. I am trying," Johnson said. "This is the longest I have ever been without scoring. I am thinking about it, but at the same time I don't. I am just trying to win games and do anything to help the team out."

However, filling up the stat sheet isn't all that matters to Johnson. As always, winning games is more important.

"At the end of the day that's not what it's about. It's a team game and I am going to continue to be a team player and help everybody around me," Johnson said. "Touchdowns are eventually going to come."

• As he does every Thursday, Teryl Austin also addressed the media and hammered home the importance for the defense to up the physicality in the wake of two poor performances against the run. Corey Crisan is all over it.

• However, one thing really stood out to me from Austin's meeting with the media. He once again fielded a question about Brian Flores' input on the defensive side of the ball, and this might be the most animated I've seen Austin get during a media availability.

"We do what we normally do. I mean, I've answered this question a bunch. It's the same thing we always do in every staff, we sit in the meetings, we talk about things, what would be the best way to stop it," Austin said. "Flo has his input, just like everybody else in that room, and then we decide what we think is the best for our guys moving forward, and that's that."

When the reporter followed up by asking if it was a collective effort, Austin responded, "It's always a collective effort. But in my position, I make the final decision on what we do. So, at the end of the day, the final decision is mine, and what goes on that field is mine."

• Ola Adeniyi did not pass his physical with the Steelers and will remain a free agent, according to a report by ESPN's Adam Schefter. The Steelers had a locker for Adeniyi on Wednesday, but that was not the case Thursday.

• On the injury front, Pickett limited for the second straight day. After missing practice Wednesday, Cam Sutton (neck/stinger) and Najee Harris (hip) were upgraded to full participation on Thursday. However, Myles Jack (groin), Pat Freiermuth (foot) and Larry Ogunjobi did not practice for the second straight day. 

Diontae Johnson (hip), Josh Jackson (ankle) and Cam Heyward (vet rest) also missed Thursday's practice, but after being full participants on Wednesday. Johnson was in his uniform and cleats and even brought his helmet and gloves to practice, but wound up not participating.

• Pickett was sporting the new Riddell Axiom helmet with a clear visor in practice today. He's previously worn the Riddell Speedflex helmet with no visor.

The Axiom helmet is the latest model manufactured by Riddell to combat concussions, boasting upgraded fitting mechanisms and advanced technology that tracks collisions to the helmet. The helmet also has more flex panels, which is supposed to help improve its responsiveness to impact.

Freiermuth, a player with a history of concussions, switched to the Axiom helmet earlier this season.