For a team that didn’t even practice yesterday, it was a wild Monday for the Steelers. Coach Mike Tomlin said that Mason Rudolph is his tentative starter at quarterback Saturday against the Bengals and that Kenny Pickett may be available. And the NFL suspended without pay safety Damontae Kazee for the rest of the season for his repeated dirty hits.
Already fined for bad hits five times this season, Kazee will forfeit more than $208,000 in salary and his absence, coupled with the loss of safety Minkah Fitzpatrick to a knee injury, will make the Steelers’ already-weakened middle defense even more vulnerable.
At quarterback, Rudolph will replace Mitch Trubisky, although Pickett’s recovery from ankle surgery two weeks ago has gone well.
Tomlin said at least to start the week, he’s anticipating Rudolph under center, but Pickett might be an option.
The coach said the entire team has played poorly, so the entire philosophy must change, not just the personnel.
Tomlin says change is needed, and it has to come fast.
The Steelers’ injury report included Fitzpatrick’s knee, fellow safety Trenton Thompson’s neck stinger, and defensive lineman Cam Heyward is in concussion protocol. Two injured safeties currently on injured reserve could help. Elijah Riley may be available, but Keanu Neal will not.
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