Eagles' Kenny Pickett: First Eagles snaps in garbage time
Rotowire
Pickett saw the field for the first time in an Eagles uniform Sunday against the Giants, throwing a single incomplete pass in the fourth quarter of a 28-3 victory.
Pickett replaced Jalen Hurts with 10:32 left in the fourth quarter and was tasked with running out the clock with his team up by four scores. He spent nearly all his time handing off, with one incompletion and one sack on his two dropbacks.
... See More... See Less
Eagles' Kenny Pickett: Does little in preseason finale
Rotowire
Pickett completed six of nine passes for 58 yards in Saturday's 26-3 preseason loss to the Vikings.
With Jalen Hurts sitting out the Eagles' preseason finale, Pickett got another start and played the entire first half, but the former Steeler did little with the opportunity. Pickett's longest completions both went to Parris Campbell, for 19 and 15 yards on his first and last possessions of the day, but he had no other gains for double-digit yards. The team's 2023 sixth-round pick, Tanner McKee, played most of the second half and had an uneven performance, which likely secures Pickett's spot as Hurts' primary backup to begin the regular season.
... See More... See Less
Eagles' Kenny Pickett: Modest numbers in another start
Rotowire
Pickett completed 11 of 13 passes for 67 yards while adding two rushing attempts for six yards in Thursday's 14-13 preseason win over the Patriots.
Pickett played the entire first half as Jalen Hurts once again got the night off. The former Pittsburgh quarterback was content checking the ball down and led the offense to only three points, though he didn't have top skill players such as A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith or Saquon Barkley at his disposal. Despite having 24 regular-season starts under his belt, Pickett figures to get extensive playing time in the Eagles' Aug. 24 preseason finale against the Vikings as he continues to familiarize himself with his new team's offense.
... See More... See Less
Eagles' Kenny Pickett: Unimpressive in preseason opener
Rotowire
Pickett completed 14 of 22 passes for 89 yards and a touchdown in Friday's 16-13 preseason win over the Ravens.
Reporting earlier in the day suggested that Jalen Hurts and the Eagles' first-team offense would get a series at the beginning of the game, but instead Pickett got the start under center and played into the second half. While he did connect with Will Shipley on a seven-yard TD pass on Philadelphia's second possession, Pickett had no success stretching the field and averaged just 4.0 yards per attempt, with his longest completion going for only 10 yards. The former Steeler appears set as Hurts' top backup this season, but he'll only be an emergency or garbage-time option.
... See More... See Less
Eagles' Kenny Pickett: Dealt to Eagles
Rotowire
The Steelers are trading Pickett to the Eagles for a draft pick swap, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
As recently as 10 days ago, multiple Pittsburgh beat reporters said the team preferred to keep Pickett and Mason Rudolph and then let them compete for the starting job. Both are now gone and will be backups for other teams, while the Steelers have Russell Wilson as the lone QB on their offseason roster. The move to Philadelphia might help Pickett's development but also means he'll have no opportunity to compete for the top spot, instead serving as a clear backup to Jalen Hurts. Pickett, a 2022 first-round pick, has two seasons remaining on his rookie contract, plus a fifth-year option for 2026 that's unlikely to be picked up.
... See More... See Less
Steelers' Kenny Pickett: May not get chance to compete
Rotowire
Pickett won't necessarily have the opportunity to compete with newly signed Russell Wilson for a starting job, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
Wilson may be past his prime but nonetheless became a strong favorite for the Week 1 start when his decision to sign with the Steelers was announced Sunday night. GM Omar Khan said a week earlier that he had "full faith" in Pickett, a 2022 first-round pick (20th overall) with more regular-season wins (14) than TD passes (13). A good defense and strong record in one-score games has allowed the Steelers to stick in the playoff hunt the past two years, but Wilson should give the offense some actual upside in what likely will be a run-first system under new coordinator Arthur Smith. Meanwhile, QB Mason Rudolph now seems likely to sign with a new team, leaving Wilson and Pickett as the experienced QBs in Pittsburgh.
... See More... See Less
Steelers' Kenny Pickett: Listed as questionable, won't start
Rotowire
Pickett (ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Seahawks, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.
While Pickett, who is dealing with an ankle injury, is questionable for the contest, coach Mike Tomlin confirmed Friday that Mason Rudolph will start at quarterback for the Steelers in Week 17. As a result, Pickett could serve in a backup capacity Sunday, but if he's made inactive, Mitch Trubisky would be Pittsburgh's No. 2 QB versus Seattle.
... See More... See Less
Steelers' Kenny Pickett: Stays limited in practice
Rotowire
Pickett (ankle) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.
Though Pickett practiced in a limited fashion for the second day in a row, the Steelers haven't made a decision if he'll be available for Sunday's game against the Seahawks after having missed Pittsburgh's last three games while recovering from a right ankle procedure. If Pickett is cleared to suit up this weekend, he'll likely be serving as the team's No. 2 quarterback, as head coach Mike Tomlin already indicated earlier in the week that Mason Rudolph is being prepped for a second straight start.
... See More... See Less
Steelers' Kenny Pickett: Logs limited practice session
Rotowire
Pickett (ankle) was a limited participant at practice Wednesday, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.
Pickett is gradually working his way back from a Dec. 4 procedure on his right ankle, but at this stage, the Steelers seem to be proceeding as though Mason Rudolph will start Sunday's game against the Seahawks. Added clarity regarding Pickett's status will arrive when Pittsburgh releases its final injury report of the week Friday, but given Rudolph's strong play in this past Saturday's 34-11 win over the Bengals, the Steelers can afford to proceed deliberately with Pickett.
... See More... See Less
Steelers' Kenny Pickett: Hurts ankle Sunday
Rotowire
Pickett left Sunday's game against the Cardinals after suffering a right ankle injury and is questionable to return, Brian Batko of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Pickett appeared on the Steelers' Week 13 injury report due to discomfort in the same ankle, but he was a full participant in practice Wednesday through Friday. He appeared to aggravate the injury, however, when he took a shot to the ankle on a play near the goal line in the first half. Prior to his exit from the game, Pickett had completed eight of his 11 pass attempts for 75 yards and logged three carries for three yards. Mitch Trubisky took over at quarterback for Pittsburgh after Pickett headed to the locker room for further evaluation.
... See More... See Less
Steelers' Kenny Pickett: One To Stash (QB Preview)
Rotowire
If you have QB concerns and an opening at the end of the roster, Kenny Pickett might be worth the space. He's been abysmal so far, but what if at least some of it actually was Matt Canada's fault? Pickett has Diontae Johnson, George Pickens, Pat Freiermuth, and a fantastic closing schedule. Let's see how he looks in that first game without Canada.
... See More... See Less
Steelers' Kenny Pickett: Plans to play Thursday
Rotowire
Pickett (ribs) said Tuesday that he intends to play in Thursday's game against the Titans, Mike DeFabo of The Athletic reports.
Pickett opened Week 9 with a limited listing on Monday's estimated practice report, and he relayed one day later that he did some light throwing in what was yet another walk-through session. He thus appears poised to be listed as a limited participant once again, which will be confirmed when the Steelers post their next injury report later Tuesday.
... See More... See Less
Steelers' Kenny Pickett: Limited on practice estimate
Rotowire
Pickett (ribs) was listed as limited on the Steelers' estimated practice report Monday, Teresa Varley of the team's official site reports.
Pickett made an early departure from Sunday's 20-10 loss to the Jaguars due to a hard hit that he endured late in the second quarter. He suffered a rib injury as a result, but even with Pittsburgh preparing to host the Titans on a short week Thursday, coach Mike Tomlin said Monday that "the door is definitively ajar" for Pickett to be available this week. Pickett is considered a "game-time type decision," so his status will be one to monitor closely as Thursday's game draws closer. Mitch Trubisky will be called upon to start if Pickett is unable to suit up.
... See More... See Less
Steelers' Kenny Pickett: Game-time decision for Week 9
Rotowire
Head coach Mike Tomlin said Monday that he's viewing Pickett (ribs) as a game-time decision for Thursday's contest against the Titans, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Pickett was forced out of Sunday's 20-10 loss to Jacksonville due to a rib injury, but Tomlin confirms he didn't sustain any structural damage. Tomlin said he will "leave the door ajar" for Pickett to play Thursday, per Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, but that the decision will come down to the quarterback's "ability to throw and his comfort." Mitch Trubisky would be in line to start under center in the event that Pickett isn't able to play with a short window for recovery.
... See More... See Less
Steelers' Kenny Pickett: Done for day with rib injury
Rotowire
Pickett has been ruled out for the remainder of Sunday's game against the Jaguars due to a rib injury.
Pickett sustained the injury when he took a hard hit late in the second quarter and headed to the locker room, but he had been expected to return to the game for the second half, according to Jeff Howe of The Athletic. However, Mitch Trubisky remained the team's quarterback for the first possession of the third quarter, and after further deliberation, Pittsburgh has chosen to hold Pickett out for the rest of the game. Pickett will finish the Week 8 contest with 10 completions on 16 attempts for 73 yards to go with 10 yards on his lone carry. He'll have limited time to heal up from the injury if he hopes to avoid an absence, as the Steelers are set to face the Titans on Thursday night in Week 9.
... See More... See Less
Steelers' Kenny Pickett: Set to face Ravens
Rotowire
Pickett (knee) is officially active for Sunday's game against the Ravens.
Pickett approached the game without an injury designation after being listed as a full practice participant Thursday and Friday, and it's been confirmed that the QB will play through a bone bruise in his knee that he sustained during Week 4 action. Per Mike Garafolo of NFL Network, Pickett began the practice week working with a knee brace but shed that by Thursday. That said, the QB's mobility could be limited to some degree Sunday, with Garafolo suggesting that the Steelers could look to establish the run versus Baltimore with an eye toward avoiding 3rd-and long situations as much as possible.
... See More... See Less
Steelers' Kenny Pickett: Practices fully Thursday
Rotowire
Pickett (knee) was a full practice participant Thursday, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.
Pickett was a limited participant in the Steelers' first Week 5 practice Wednesday after missing the final quarter of this past Sunday's loss to the Texans, but the quarterback's return to a full session Thursday puts him on track to play through a bone bruise in his left knee this Sunday against the Ravens. Barring any setbacks at practice Friday, Pickett seems destined to head into the weekend without an injury designation.
... See More... See Less
Steelers' Kenny Pickett: Limited at practice
Rotowire
Pickett (knee) was a limited practice participant Wednesday, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
Pickett sustained a bone bruise to his left knee during this past Sunday's loss to the Texans, but he said Wednesday that he anticipates playing against the Ravens this weekend. An upgrade to full practice participation Thursday or Friday would confirm Pickett is good to go for Sunday, while a setback or downgrade in practice activity would open the door for Mitch Trubisky to make his first start of the season. Pickett's poor performance through the Steelers' first four games suggests Trubisky could get a look as a starter at some point later this season even if his second-year teammate is able to play through the bone bruise and otherwise stays healthy.
... See More... See Less
Steelers' Kenny Pickett: Injury not viewed as season-ending
Rotowire
Pickett, who is scheduled to undergo an MRI on his left knee Monday, is not believed to have suffered a season-ending injury in Sunday's 30-6 loss to the Texans, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
The Steelers won't know the full extent of his injury until they get the results of the MRI, but the second-year quarterback appears to have avoided damage to his ACL. However, Rapoport adds that Pickett is still expected to miss some time, and the Steelers have some concern about the integrity of his MCL and meniscus. After Pickett went down with the injury late in the third quarter, Mitch Trubisky took over the offense and completed three of five pass attempts for 18 yards. Even if Pickett avoids a worst-case scenario with his knee, Trubisky looks like the frontrunner to start Sunday's game against the Ravens, with Mason Rudolph then slotting in as the No. 2 quarterback.
... See More... See Less
Steelers' Kenny Pickett: MRI on tap
Rotowire
Pickett is slated to undergo an MRI to determine the extent of the left knee injury he sustained in Sunday's loss to the Texans, Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Per Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site, coach Mike Tomlin noted after the contest that the QB's injury was being evaluated, but at this stage the severity of Pickett's knee issue is unclear. If he's forced to miss any time, Mitch Trubisky is next in line to handle the team's signal-caller duties, with Mason Rudolph in reserve.
