Kenny Pickett remained a partial participant in Steelers practice on the South Side at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex Friday, like he has been this week since entering the concussion protocol. After a week of quarterback speculation, Pickett is officially listed as doubtful for Sunday's road game against the Panthers.
"I think that's appropriate as we sit here today," Mike Tomlin said after practice Friday.
That's as far as Tomlin would go for who the Steelers' signal caller will be Sunday. While Mason Rudolph has yet to be active for a game this season, it doesn't guarantee Mitch Trubisky, the opening week starter who has come off the bench twice this year, will get the nod.
"We've got some clarity about where we're going," Tomlin said. "There's just no need to land the plane until it's required to land the plane. I like the work that we've gotten from Mitch and Mason this week. Both guys have split reps and seen enough situations, in not only what they did this week, but the totality of what they've done. It makes us extremely comfortable in terms of considering both guys. So, we're comfortable."
Tomlin stated that there should be a statement regarding the depth chart made Saturday.
When asked how much time he would need before he knew he was the starter, Trubisky said with a smile, "Before the game starts."
"10 minutes would be good," he joked. "See how secretive he wants to keep it."
Trubisky said he didn't know which way Tomlin was leaning. He and Rudolph split the first team reps equally this week, leaving the door open for either to start.
2, 10, and 8 throwing footballs on the South Side today. #Steelers pic.twitter.com/6zJwEbRCKO
— Corey Crisan (@cdcrisan) December 16, 2022
"It was unique," Trubisky said. "We got a lot of work done, that's for sure, taking the one reps and splitting the scout team. It was a good week of competition. Felt good about our competition."
The job would seemingly not be in competition had Trubisky minimized his mistakes in last Sunday's 16-14 loss to the Ravens. While he did engineer a pair of touchdown drives and the Steelers moved the ball most of the afternoon, his three interceptions from the Ravens' side of the field were too much to overcome.
"I've just got to make better decisions," Trubisky said. "Got to protect the football. Made some really good throws out there, we moved the ball up and down the field, but obviously, got to take care of the football."
For Rudolph, a chance to start, or at least be active, gives the fifth-year vet a long-awaited chance to prove himself on the field again after a year of behind the scenes work.
"I'm a competitor, so obviously, of course I want to play every week, each day," Rudolph said on Monday. "I want to practice. I take advantage of the reps I do get, but of course any competitor wants to be out there for his team, winning and putting his hand in the pile."
"He's handled it really good," Najee Harris said. "He's been a coach, really, from what I've seen it, in the quarterback room... For him to come in here and get a chance to play, I think that's gonna be even bigger from where he started, where he's at."
Regardless of who gets the nod, Harris said the offense has confidence in them
"The gameplan's going to be the gameplan," Harris said. "If everybody just worries about what they've got to do and focus on what they've got to do, the outcome will be in our favor."
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Myles Jack is also listed for doubtful is also listed as doubtful for Sunday after being limited in practice Friday. He did not practice Wednesday or Thursday.
Diontae Johnson (hip), Pat Freiermuth (foot) and Josh Jackson (ankle) were all limited practice after not practicing Thursday (Friermuth also did not practice Wednesday).
Larry Ogunjobi (toe), Harris (hip) and Cameron Sutton (neck) were all full practice Friday after being limited or unavailable earlier this week.
