Steelers expected to start Mitch Trubisky on Sunday, but likely has a short leash

With rookie starter Kenny Pickett in the concussion protocol for the second time this season, the Steelers had Trubisky and Mason Rudolph split the first team reps at practice this week.

That was viewed as an indication that the Steelers may have soured on Trubisky and would be willing to give Rudolph one more shot. 

In the end, they are going back to Trubisky.

Trubisky opened the 2022 season as the starter, but after three-and-a-half lackluster games from him and the offense they went to Pickett (the team's first round pick) in their Week 4 game against the New York Jets. Pickett has been the starter ever since with mixed results. He had been showing a lot of progress in recent weeks, while the Steelers won three out of four games to climb back to the fringes of playoff contention.

But he had to leave Sunday's game against Baltimore with his second concussion of the season. Trubisky came on in relief and moved the ball well at times, but made three crushing mistakes when he was intercepted twice in the red zone and a third time on a deep pass into double coverage in the end zone. 

The fact the Steelers gave such consideration to starting Rudolph almost certainly means Trubisky will be on a short leash for Sunday's game. He has not played well at any point this season, and head coach Mike Tomlin was clearly unhappy with the three turnovers in the 16-14 loss to Baltimore. 

The Steelers, 5-8, still have a slim mathematical chance for the playoffs but they need to win every game, while they are also trying to avoid their first losing season since the 2003 season. 

Carolina, also 5-8, is still in the running for the NFC South crown and could find itself tied for first place with a win and a Tampa Bay loss this week.