The Pittsburgh Steelers suffered a 20-10 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, and it came at a cost. Quarterback Kenny Pickett and safety Minkah Fitzpatrick both exited the game with injuries. Here’s what you need to know about their status and how it could impact the team moving forward.
Pickett was evaluated for a rib injury at halftime after taking a big hit from Jacksonville’s Adam Gotsis late in the second quarter. Initially, the Steelers said Pickett was probable to return, but they later downgraded him to out. Mitchell Trubisky took over in the second half and completed 15-of-27 passes for one touchdown and two interceptions.
Fitzpatrick, on the other hand, suffered a non-contact hamstring injury and was ruled out earlier in the half. He is a key player for the Steelers, leading the team with 54 total tackles this season. Losing him will undoubtedly have an impact on the defense.
The Steelers’ offense has struggled throughout the 2023 season, and now they have to deal with Pickett’s injury. Pickett has a history of injuries due to his mobile playing style, which is why the team brought in Trubisky as a veteran backup. Trubisky has experience in similar situations and has done enough to manage games in the past, allowing the defense to make a difference.
Adding to the challenge for the Steelers is the fact that they have a short week. They are set to host the Tennessee Titans on Thursday Night Football, which doesn’t leave much time for Pickett to recover. The team will need to make adjustments and find ways to overcome these obstacles.
The absence of Fitzpatrick will also be felt in Pittsburgh’s secondary. The unit has already been inconsistent this season, and now they have to play without starting right cornerback Levi Wallace as well. The Steelers typically rotate Keanu Neal and Damontae Kazee as the strong safety alongside Fitzpatrick, but with Fitzpatrick out, both Neal and Kazee played in the base defense. Additionally, special teams captain Miles Killebrew stepped in for some defensive snaps.
The Steelers often utilize a three-safety sub-package, which will be affected by Fitzpatrick’s injury. If his hamstring injury lingers, it will raise more questions about the team’s secondary and their ability to defend against opposing offenses.
After the game, Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson expressed frustration with the officiating. He believed that the officials were biased towards the Jaguars and made questionable calls that favored them. Johnson’s comments reflect the team’s disappointment with the outcome of the game and the perceived impact of the officiating on their performance.
In conclusion, the injuries to Kenny Pickett and Minkah Fitzpatrick are significant blows to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Pickett’s absence puts more pressure on Mitchell Trubisky to lead the offense, while Fitzpatrick’s injury weakens the secondary. The team will need to make adjustments and find ways to overcome these challenges, especially with a short week ahead. The Steelers’ success moving forward will depend on how well they can adapt and fill the void left by these key players.