Kenny Pickett: Steelers are 'definitely playing for' Franco Harris when they face Raiders

Even though he is an NFL rookie, Kenny Pickett perhaps had a closer bond with Franco Harris than some of his older Pittsburgh Steelers teammates.

In April, Harris stood at the podium at the NFL Draft and announced Pickett’s selection to the Steelers with the No. 20 overall pick.

“One of the best moments of my life,” Pickett said Thursday, a day after Harris’ unexpected death. “Outside of family and getting engaged, it was on that draft night. It was really special. Seeing the emotion he had when I was drafted and how he intro’d the call. It’s obvious he’s so special, but the way he did it made it even more so.”

Pickett and Harris reconnected again after a practice earlier this year. That’s why news of Harris’ death Wednesday at age 72 was difficult for the rookie quarterback to comprehend.

Echoing statements from coach Mike Tomlin, Pickett said he wants to honor Harris with the way he and his teammates play Saturday against the Las Vegas Raiders, a night in which the Pro Football Hall of Fame running back will have his number retired at halftime.

“He would want us to be focused and go out to practice and practice hard and go get the win on Saturday,” Pickett said. “We’re definitely playing for him this week.”

Pickett has enough reason for motivation to play well against the Raiders, and it’s a fairly obvious one. He is returning to the starting lineup after a one-game absence because of a concussion he suffered against the Baltimore Ravens.

Standing on the sideline last weekend at Bank of America Stadium, Pickett watched veteran Mitch Trubisky quarterback the Steelers to a 24-16 victory that was their fourth in six games since the bye.

“As we win, I hope I improve and continue to trend the way I was trending,” Pickett said.

Pickett hasn’t thrown an interception since Oct. 30 at Philadelphia. That streak of 129 passes without a pick has spanned four full games and two series against the Ravens. He was injured when his helmet struck the ground while he was being sacked to end the first drive. After an extended stay in the medical tent, Pickett returned for the second series.

That is when concussion symptoms arose.

“When I got back out there and started running, my vision started coming into play,” he said. “I’m moving and things are going fast.”

Pickett reported the symptoms to medical personnel and was removed from the game. Although it was his second concussion of the season, he isn’t concerned about the long-term effects.

“I went through it with the doctors and listened to what they said. Definitely, the right call was not to play last week,” he said. “I could have pushed it, but I think the right choice was to sit out one week and be full go this week.”

Pickett has sported a different helmet this week in practice, one that has a visor and extra cushion in the back to provide further protection if his head hits the ground.

“It felt the same, just getting the facemask right was the big concern for me,” he said. “Seeing clearly and not having two bars (on the front). I had a visor when I was younger so I’m going back to my Pop Warner days.”

Despite the change in headgear, Pickett doesn’t expect to play more cautiously against the Raiders than he did before the concussion when he seemed reluctant to take chances. Offensive coordinator Matt Canada isn’t expecting it, either.

“I don’t think we can play like that,” he said. “It’s either go or don’t go. … The plan is kind of the plan. He got hurt on a missed assignment. I don’t think there’s a big difference there. Kenny is learning week by week and understanding where we are at and what’s going on, about not taking unnecessary risks or hits.

“He’s doing that strategically for us.”

In Pickett’s absence, he watched Trubisky develop a connection with No. 1 receiver Diontae Johnson, who had his best game of the season against the Panthers. Johnson caught all 10 of his targets for 98 yards.

The challenge will be continuing that success with Pickett, which could be difficult because Johnson has missed two days of practice this week with a turf toe injury.

“I feel like I’ve got chemistry with all three of them,” Johnson said. “Yeah, I’ve played a little bit with each of them here and there. Over time, it’s built. Whoever is the quarterback, which obviously is going to be Kenny. Even if I’m not practicing, I’m behind him, talking to him and seeing what he’s looking for — what I could have done if I was out there?

“We’re going to be fine, and that relationship is going to continue.”