Steelers’ Mitch Trubisky, Mason Rudolph to share practice reps with Kenny Pickett (concussion) ‘day-to-day’

Steelers rookie Kenny Pickett entered concussion protocol after the back of his head slammed to the ground while being sacked by the Ravens’ Roquan Smith on Sunday. The quarterback played in Pittsburgh’s ensuing drive after initially clearing protocol, but exited for good after he was re-evaluated. 

On Tuesday, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin labeled Pickett as day-to-day while confirming that he is still in the concussion protocol. Tomlin said that Pickett’s practice availability will largely determine whether he will play in Sunday’s road game against Carolina. Mitch Trubisky and Mason Rudolph will share practice reps while Pickett is in the protocol. Trubisky started the Steelers’ first four games and saw relief work on two occasions since losing the starting job back in Week 4. 

As far as who would start if Pickett can’t play, Tomlin said he is taking a day to day approach. As far as Pickett’s future playing status is concerned, Tomlin said that he will lean on the team’s medical experts. If Pickett is cleared to play, he will play, Tomlin said.

“If he’s able to work, we’ll work him,” Tomlin said of Pickett. “If he’s unable to work, obviously, we’ll divvy those red reps up between Mitch and Mason. We’ll play both guys if he’s unable to work in a practice setting in an effort to make a determination [for] what’s best as we lean in on the latter part of the week.

“But again, when you’re dealing with someone in the in the protocol, you just simply take it day by day, and whatever the medical experts tell us in terms of the rate of work, or the quality of work, we’ll adhere to it and we’ll kind of frame up our planning and make decisions accordingly.” 

Tomlin noted that Pickett…