There are few better sources of information for a quarterback than the guy defending your target. Kenny Pickett studied closely with Minkah Fitzpatrick this offseason to try to see what he sees.
“He is the best in the league at his position, and he’s a helluva player, so to be able to sit there with him and pick his brain on what he sees and how he acts in the secondary helps me,” Pickett said during minicamp of his work with Fitzpatrick.
Buy Steelers TicketsNow it’s a different teammate, a former member of their upcoming opponent, Texans, he’s consulting. Newcomer Desmond King, with a locker next to Pickett’s, offers pointers from his time with Houston. “I talked to him a little bit yesterday and throughout practices this week,” Pickett said on Wednesday. “I’ll kind of just pick his brain a little bit, not over the top where I’m thinking too much.”
Kenny Pickett Could Benefit from a Hobbled Texans Secondary
The Texans’ secondary is a banged-up bunch. According to Thursday’s injury report, safety Jalen Pitre and cornerback Shaquill Griffin (foot) were full participants in today’s practice. Pitre was sidelined for the past two games with a chest injury. Corner Tavierre Thomas, who missed Week 3 with a hand injury, did not practice, and Derek Stingley Jr. (hamstring) was placed on injured reserve on Saturday.
The unit currently ranks 19th in the league and has allowed a completion percentage of 73.2, according to NFL.com. Former Steelers corner Steven Nelson picked off Baltimore Ravens’ Lamar Jackson in Week 1 and linebacker Blake Cashman Trevor Lawrence last week.
The Raiders’ 31st-ranked secondary didn’t pick Pickett off last week, his first interception-less game this season.
