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Update, Oct. 6 — Pickett is expected to play on Sunday. He is off the team’s injury report and should be good to go.
Expect Kenny Pickett to play Sunday, but wonder if he'll be in the calf sleeve he's worn the last two days or the knee brace he had on Wed. Don't know that his movements were any more fluid w/ one vs. other - but wonder if the Steelers will be extra cautious with more protection.
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) October 6, 2023
Update, Oct. 5 — Pickett was listed as a full practice participant on Thursday. If he can log another full participation on Friday, he could head into the weekend not listed on the team’s final injury report.
Kenny Pickett was a full participant in Thursday’s practice.
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) October 5, 2023
Something to keep an eye on, though, is Alex Highsmith’s groin injury that popped up today. He didn’t participate. pic.twitter.com/IHjLSD348b
Update, Oct. 4 — Pickett practiced on Wednesday and notably didn’t look 100%, which was to be expected. Still, the quarterback told reporters that he will be ready to go by Sunday.
Steelers’ QB Kenny Pickett, who bruised his knee vs. the Texans, said this to reporters today: “I’ll be ready to go by Sunday.”
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 4, 2023
Update, October 3 — Head coach Mike Tomlin confirms that Pickett has a bone bruise and is considered day-to-day. The quarterback will practice, at least in a limited capacity, and the team will evaluate him from there.
Kenny Pickett has a bone bruise. Tomlin says he'll participate in practice tomorrow and they'll go from there.
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) October 3, 2023
"Obviously his functionality and comfort will be the guide tomorrow ... as we push forward toward the game, the quality of his work will be determining factor."
Quarterback Kenny Pickett injured his knee in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Week 4 loss against the Houston Texans. He left the field in the third quarter and was declared out for the rest of the game, but an MRI after the game did not show any serious damage to Pickett’s knee. He suffered a bone bruise, and his timeline for return is unclear.
#Steelers QB Kenny Pickett suffered a bone bruise in his knee that could lead to a short-term absence, per me and @MikeGarafolo. The door is open for Pickett, who also has a muscle strain, to play this week, but the team may be smart with a bye in Week 6. pic.twitter.com/SlbY7FaIa8
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 2, 2023
Fantasy football implications for Week 5
Pickett’s backup is Mitch Trubisky, who was the starter for the Steelers in the 2022 season until Pickett took over for him. Trubisky is a veteran QB who added 18 yards in the final minutes of the Week 4 game.
Since we don’t have a timeline on Pickett’s recovery and return, let’s assume Trubisky goes in this week as the Steelers face the Baltimore Ravens. Several wide receivers could potentially see a drop in fantasy earnings this week, including George Pickens and Calvin Austin III.