Kenny Pickett injury updates: Latest on Steelers QB's knee ailment after loss to Texans
An already troublesome day for the Pittsburgh Steelers' offense might have taken an even uglier turn.
Quarterback Kenny Pickett left Sunday's 30-6 loss to the Houston Texans in the third quarter with a knee injury.
Pickett had to be helped off the field after he was sacked by Texans defensive end Jonathan Greenard on a fourth-and-1 play. He was ruled out shortly after and was replaced in the game by backup Mitchell Trubisky on the ensuing drive. Pittsburgh trailed 16-6 at the time.
Pickett completed 15 of 23 passes for just 114 yards with no touchdowns and an interception before exiting. The Pitt product is in his second year as the team's starter after being the No. 20 overall selection in last year's NFL draft and taking over for Trubisky in Week 4 of last season.
Here's the latest on his condition:
Kenny Pickett injury update
Kenny Pickett suffered a bone bruise in Sunday's game, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo. Rapoport said on X, formerly known as Twitter, that the quarterback might face a "short-term absence," but that he could play this week as the Steelers host the division rival Baltimore Ravens. He points out that Pittsburgh has a bye after the game when Pickett can rest up.
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said after the game that he had no additional information on Pickett's injury, which he said needed to be further evaluated.
It was unclear what the timeline would be for determining Pickett's status. The Steelers host the AFC North-leading Ravens this Sunday before having a bye in Week 6.
Who will start at QB for Steelers if Kenny Pickett is out?
Trubisky, who completed three of five passes for 18 yards on Sunday, would be set to retake the starting reins if Pickett cannot play.
The seventh-year veteran started five games for the Steelers last year.
Steelers' struggles
Pittsburgh's offense has struggled to connect on big plays or generate any consistency, with the attack entering Sunday ranked 27th in yards per game (275.7). On Sunday, the Steelers mustered just 225 yards and 12 first downs.
Asked after the game if he was planning on making changes, Tomlin said, “Hell yeah we’ve got to make some changes, man. That was an ugly product we put out there today, and so we’re not going to do the same things and hope for a different outcome. What those changes are, we’ll put together a plan in preparation this week.”