PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – It seems like Kenny Pickett feels like he can play, but the decision is not up to him. The starting quarterback was limited in his first practice back, saying afterwards.
"It feels like I'm on track with what I need to do," Pickett said of returning from ankle surgery. "It's really not how I feel, it's kinda what they see me doing and how they feel like I'm moving around."
Pickett said he will always try to push himself to return and play and is obviously frustrated to not be able to play on Saturday. He said it's really about what the trainers and coaches see. It's how they evaluate how he is moving and what their ultimate plan is for him on Sunday. As Pickett said, any competitor wants to get out there as soon as possible.
He said he was told last week that he wasn't able to move and protect himself well enough to play. He's hoping to show he can play again before this season is over and resting the injured ankle the rest of the year 'has never entered his mind'.
Pickett wants to come back as soon as possible and that would start with playing at Seattle on Sunday. However, after one practice, it doesn't look good for Pickett.
"They are just taking it day-by-day," Pickett said. "Communication-wise, there is nothing looking down the road. It really when I show up and how I look moving. It's kind of what they feel of how I'm doing."
"They have a plan for me. I'm just going with what they tell me."
Last week
Pickett praised Mason Rudolph, the offense and the team for playing complementary football in the win over the Bengals. He said Rudolph is always consistent in practice and showed that consistency on the field Saturday.
"Between Mitch, Mason, myself and Sully, we are all really tight," Pickett said. "All pulling for each other. All helping each other out on the sidelines. Great friends of mine, will always be good friends of mine."
It doesn't mean he wants to watch them play.
