PITTSBURGH — Rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett traveled with the Steelers to Carolina over the weekend when he was in the NFL’s concussion protocol. He watched from the sideline with a headset on, listening to the communication between backup Mitch Trubisky and offensive coordinator Matt Canada.
Pickett might have picked up a few things by seeing the game from a different angle, but coach Mike Tomlin isn’t interested in having Pickett learn any more from the sideline. With Pickett’s concussion “behind” him, Tomlin is going back to Pickett as his starter for Saturday’s game against the Raiders for one simple reason.
“My preference is to play and grow and gain the experience associated with the in-helmet perspective of competing,” Tomlin said. “I just think, where he is in his career, that’s the No. 1 ingredient for getting better.”
