Despite returning to practice in a limited capacity Tuesday and Wednesday while recovering from an ankle injury that required tightrope surgery two weeks ago, Pittsburgh Steelers’ second-year quarterback Kenny Pickett was ruled out Thursday by Steelers’ head coach Mike Tomlin, according to a tweet from ESPN’s Brooke Pryor just a short time ago.
Backup quarterback Mason Rudolph, who was elevated into the No. 2 QB role behind Pickett after leaping over Mitch Trubisky this week, will get the start against the Bengals.
Kenny Pickett is OUT vs. Bengals, Mike Tomlin says.
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) December 21, 2023
It will be Rudolph’s first start since the 2021 16-16 tie against the Detroit Lions at then-Heinz Field.