The Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett earned his first win as the team’s starter last Sunday, defeating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The quarterback left the game with a concussion after suffering a tackle by Bucs linebacker Devin White. Pickett remained on the ground for a few seconds before getting up, was evaluated on the bench until he was led to the locker room.
The freshman, selected in the first round of the last Draft, is in the concussion protocol. But according to head coach Mike Tomlin, if the player meets playing conditions, he will be the team’s starter in the duel against the Miami Dolphins next Sunday.
Tomlin expects to be released from concussion protocol
“If he is cleared from the protocol, he will go to the game. We’re not going to change the direction we’re going,” Tomlin said.
The Steelers’ first win under Pickett was not eye-popping. The freshman completed 11 of the 18 passes he attempted for only 67 yards and one touchdown pass. However, the production was safer and more consistent than in the losses to the Buffalo Bills and New York Jets in previous weeks.
Against the Bills, Pickett’s first game as a starter, the quarterback had no touchdown connections and was intercepted once. Against the Jets, he came in for Trubisky during the game, threw three interceptions, and scored two touchdowns on the ground.
Pickett has one win and one loss as Pittsburgh’s starter, and has thrown for 514 yards, one touchdown pass, and a 66.3% passer rating.
According to Tomlin, although the quarterback is still in concussion protocol, the player is expected to practice without limitations during the week.
The team should also gain the returns of cornerback Levi Wallace and tight end Pat Freiermuth, released from the concussion protocol, in the coming days.