The Pittsburgh Steelers are back on the road this week to take on the Carolina Panthers. The Steelers are technically still "in the hunt" and most likely need to win out in order to keep their slim playoff chances alive. The uncertainty of the team's QB situation was settled Saturday afternoon as the black and gold officially announced QB Mitch Trubisky will get the start against the Panthers.
Steelers then starting quarterback, Mitch Trubisky (#10) warms up for a 2022 regular season game against the New York Jets at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA. | Jordan Schofield/SteelerNation (@JSKO_PHOTO Twitter)
With rookie QB1 Kenny Pickett downgraded from DOUBTFUL to OUT on Saturday, the rookie will be inactive for the first time in his rookie season. With that news, QB Mason Rudolph will dress for the first time this year and will backup the announced starter, Trubisky.
Reports are out that Trubisky could be on a short leash due to his struggles to protect the football in crucial situations last week, so we may have a Rudolph sighting the week before Christmas!
While he gets the start today with QB Kenny Pickett out, #Steelers QB Mitch Trubisky could be on short leash vs. the #Panthers.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 18, 2022
Story from me and @MikeGarafolo: https://t.co/E79dw3l2qz
Steelers linebacker, Myles Jack (#51) stands on the middle of the field at Acrisure Stadium as the defense gets ready to play a snap against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Pittsburgh, PA. |Jordan Schofield/SteelerNation (@JSKO_PHOTO Twitter)
With the news coming of Pickett being downgraded Saturday afternoon, the Steelers received some positive injury news as LB Myles Jack was upgraded to QUESTIONABLE, but he will NOT be healthy enough to play in Sunday afternoon's matchup with the Panthers.
DL Chris Wormley sustained an ACL tear in last week's loss and the team made a corresponding move to steal DL Jonathan Marshall off the New York Jets' practice squad. However, Marshall will NOT get a helmet as the Steelers opt to use DL Isaiahh Loudermilk as the extra beef up front to try to slow down the Panthers' explosive rushing attack.
Jack being out allows rookie LB Mark Robinson a chance to suit up for the second time this season!
Below is the full list of inactives as the Steelers take on the Panthers in Charlotte at 1pm:
No. 8 QB Kenny Pickett
No. 16 CB Josh Jackson
No. 51 LB Myles Jack
No. 53 G Kendrick Green
No. 91 DT Jonathan Marshall
Are you surprised by any of the Steelers’ inactives for their Week 15 game against the Panthers? Let us know in the comment section below, or on Facebook, Twitter, and/or Instagram!
#SteelerNation