Steelers QB Kenny Pickett knocked out of game at Texans with knee injury

HOUSTON — A year after being replaced by Kenny Pickett in the fourth week of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ season, Mitch Trubisky found his role reversed Sunday.

Trubisky relieved Pickett after the Steelers’ quarterback left with a left knee injury late in the third quarter of a 30-6 loss to the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.

Trubisky is prepared to start next Sunday against Baltimore if needed. The Steelers have their bye week after that game, which might factor into their decision whether to rest Pickett, who limped off the field after being examined in the medical tent.

“We’re going to pick him up this week,” Trubisky said. “We won’t speculate what it is. You hate to see him go down like that, but you have to stay ready on the sideline.”

In Week 4 of the 2022 season, Trubisky was benched in favor of Pickett at halftime against the New York Jets. That decision, though, was related to performance, not injury.

Related:

• Kenny Pickett's injury piles more misery on Steelers' loss to Texans
• 5 things we learned: Might be time for Steelers to give Mitch Trubisky a start at quarterback
• 1st-rounder Broderick Jones gets significant snaps in place of injured Steelers tackle Dan Moore Jr.

Trubisky started only once the rest of the season, a game at Carolina when Pickett was being treated for a concussion.

“I feel comfortable,” Trubisky said. “That is why they brought me back here to be ready to go at any moment.”

Pickett was injured while he was sacked on a failed fourth-and-1 play with the Steelers trailing 16-6 and 1 minute, 10 seconds left in the third quarter.

Pickett tried to avoid the pass rush and turned into the path of Texans defensive end Jonathan Greenard, who got the sack, the third on the Steelers’ second-year quarterback in the game.

Pickett was taken into the blue medical tent for observation. When he emerged, he walked gingerly off the field to the locker room and didn’t return.

“I really don’t know what happened,” said rookie left tackle Broderick Jones, who was assigned to block Greenard on the play. “I remember seeing him grab his knee. I’m praying for him. Hope it’s not too serious, and we can get him back as soon as possible.”

Pickett completed 15 of 23 passes for 114 yards, no touchdowns and one interception. He left with a 59.0 passer rating, the lowest of his two-year career.

Pickett’s injury came at a pivotal moment in the game. The Steelers were at the Texans 33 and, if they had converted the fourth down, in position to cut their deficit to one score.

After Pickett’s injury, the Texans got a touchdown with 10:50 remaining to take a 23-6 lead.

“It kills your morale a little bit when your quarterback goes down,” Trubisky said. “You never want to see that. We’ve got to pick him up, and everyone has to pull together. We have to find way to fight this week.”