Mitch Trubisky named starter for Steelers after QB Kenny Pickett ruled out
On the day the Pittsburgh Steelers traveled to Carolina for their game against the Panthers at Bank of America Stadium, they downgraded quarterback Kenny Pickett to out because of concussion symptoms.
Pickett had been listed as doubtful Friday, but he was ruled out from playing after the team went through its walkthrough Saturday. Mitch Trubisky will start for the 5-8 Steelers against the 5-8 Panthers with Mason Rudolph serving as the backup.
Trubisky and Rudolph split reps with the first-team offense during the week.
The Steelers also announced inside linebacker Myles Jack has been upgraded from doubtful to questionable for the 1 p.m. game Sunday.
Pickett left the Steelers’ 16-14 loss to Baltimore in the first quarter last Sunday and was placed in concussion protocol. He was limited in practice the entire week, so it was not surprising he won’t dress against the Panthers.
Pickett had been active for each of the Steelers’ 13 games this season. He had started each of the previous nine games.
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Trubisky hasn’t started since Week 4 against the New York Jets, when he was benched at halftime in favor of Pickett. He replaced Pickett after the rookie quarterback was placed in concussion protocol in Week 6 against Tampa Bay and last week against Baltimore.
Trubisky will be returning to the state where he starred at quarterback for North Carolina before he was selected with the second overall pick by the Chicago Bears in the 2017 draft. Chapel Hill, N.C. is about a two-hour drive from Charlotte.
Pickett led the Steelers to a comeback win against the Buccaneers, but he threw three interceptions that were costly in the loss to the Ravens.
Rudolph will be on the game-day roster for the first time this season. He hasn’t taken a snap in a game since preseason. His last appearance in a regular-season game came in Week 15 last season at Kansas City.
Jack was limited in practice Friday after missing sessions Wednesday and Thursday. He has started 12 games this season.
Joe Rutter is a TribLive reporter who has covered the Pittsburgh Steelers since the 2016 season. A graduate of Greensburg Salem High School and Point Park, he is in his fifth decade covering sports for the Trib. He can be reached at jrutter@triblive.com.
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