There are several bad habits that Kenny Pickett needs to break, the foremost being pocket awareness. It’s one thing when protection breaks down, and Pickett needs to bail, but that wasn’t the case in the play that ended with a turnover on downs and what could be a serious knee injury.
Former ESPN and Steelers radio host David Todd noted that rookie tackle Broderick Jones had his man blocked. Instead of stepping up and reading his progressions, Pickett looked skittish as he has all season. He escaped, spun out left and was met with a nine-yard sack by defensive end Jonathan Greenard. “As soon as Pickett bails there is nothing Jones can do,” wrote Todd.
He walked off gingerly and did not return.
This is the play where Pickett gets hurt. He has, what is becoming, a bad habit of spinning out to his left when there is still a pocket. Jones has blocked his man, but as soon as Pickett bails out there is nothing Jones can do. #Steelers pic.twitter.com/FcYbxILJpo
— David Todd (@DavidMTodd) October 1, 2023
Though early word from Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio is the team’s hopeful it’s a minor MCL sprain, the extent of Pickett’s knee injury is unknown. There won’t likely be any official news until Mike Tomlin shares a vague update at his weekly press conference on Tuesday. The fact that he didn’t need carted off is a good sign.
But Pickett never should’ve been put in this situation in the first place. Instead of a simple quarterback sneak on a fourth-and-one they desperately needed to convert, offensive coordinator Matt Canada opted for a pass play. There was no disguising it, though, as they went into shotgun instead of putting Pickett under center.
It’s a stale statement, but Canada needs to go. Before that happens — if it even does — the Steelers take on the 3-1 Baltimore Ravens. Mitch Trubisky, who went three-of-five for 18 yards on Sunday, will start for Pickett if he can’t go.
