Steelers’ Mike Tomlin Says QB Kenny Pickett’s Ankle Injury Isn’t Season-Ending

The Pittsburgh coach expects his signal-caller to return in roughly four weeks.

Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett will not play in Pittsburgh’s game against the Patriots on Thursday after undergoing surgery on his high ankle sprain, coach Mike Tomlin announced on Monday. The injury occurred Sunday during the team’s 24-10 loss to the Cardinals.

Although Pickett will not play this week, Tomlin said the injury to the Steelers signal-caller is not season-ending. Pittsburgh will not put Pickett on injured reserve, and the plan is for him to return to the field within a month. That would potentially leave Pickett in line to return for Pittsburgh’s season finale on the road against the Ravens in Week 18. 

Pickett, who had been dealing with ankle soreness for several weeks, suffered the ankle sprain midway through the second quarter of the Steelers’ loss to the Cardinals. Pickett scrambled forward on a third down near Pittsburgh’s goal line and dove for the end zone when Cardinals defensive lineman Jonathan Ledbetter grabbed his left ankle from behind while making the tackle.

Pickett left the game and was later ruled out of the contest. Backup quarterback Mitchell Trubisky stepped in as Pittsburgh’s signal-caller and will likely be the starter in Pickett’s absence. However, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Pittsburgh signed Trace McSorley to its practice squad.

Pickett finished the game with 70 yards while completing seven of 10 passes. Through 12 games this season, Pickett has thrown for 2,070 yards with six touchdown passes and four interceptions. 

Currently, the Steelers (7–5) are in second place in the AFC North and will face New England (2–10) at 8:15 p.m. ET on Thursday at Acrisure Stadium.