PITTSBURGH — After being sidelined with his second concussion in eight weeks, Steelers rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett is expected to start Saturday night against the Las Vegas Raiders. As of Monday afternoon, Pickett remained on the concussion log. But Tomlin said if the team practiced Monday, Pickett would be a full participant.
“I think he has to tick a procedural box,” Tomlin said.
After Pickett was sidelined against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, Mitch Trubisky got the start and completed 17 of 22 passes for 179 yards and a quick touchdown.
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“He did a really good job taking care of the ball and playing within the game plan and planned approach that we dictated to these opponents,” said Tomlin. “He should be congratulated for that.”
Pickett will return in time for a cold game – the 50th anniversary of the Immaculate Reception – on Saturday night, when kick-off temperatures are expected to be around 8 degrees and a wind chill of minus 4 degrees is estimated. However, Pickett’s five-year college experience with Pitt will help him prepare for Saturday night’s weather.
“I think that’s an example that we often cite when analyzing people in pre-design,” Tomlin said. “Diontae [Johnson] played in Toledo; he’s from tampa but he played in toledo in this mac-tion on wednesday night. That probably prepared him a little. All the obnoxious guys – usually there’s some sort of discussion in the draft analysis of that reveal or what that might look like or if it might be a problem for them. It’s often not a key decision maker, but it’s certainly a variable.”
But Tomlin admitted the weather could pose a challenge and affect the team’s game plan.
“We will recognize that the weather on Saturday night could be significant and affect how these two teams come together,” he said. “That’s life in the National Football League, and that’s life in Pittsburgh specifically, and that’s why we’re not going to run away. We’ll run there.
“We have to be an all-weather group. I think everyone who lives and plays here understands and appreciates that.”