Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin told reporters on Monday that Mason Rudolph will remain the team’s starter for the regular-season finale against the Baltimore Ravens. While quarterback Kenny Pickett appears to be recovered enough from ankle surgery to return to action, it seems he won’t be taking back his starting role in Week 18.
NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reports that: “Mike Tomlin doesn’t want to disrupt a good thing at QB right now. Says Kenny Pickett’s health is less in question this week but Mason Rudolph remains in line to start for the #Steelers against the #Ravens.”
Tomlin said: “I think Kenny’s availability is less in question this week. I anticipate him being available to practice. That being said, we’ve got to leave the ball in Mason Rudolph’s hands. He’s done a good job, and we’ve done a good job in the most recent two weeks. We’ve taken care of the ball. He’s taking care of the ball. We score points at a rate and which we hadn’t done to this point this year. And with the urgency of the moment and because of those reasons, we’re going to leave the ball in his hands.” According to ESPN’s Brooke Pryor, the Steelers are averaging 32 points and 432.5 yards of offense with Rudolph as the starter. In addition, the Steelers ended a three-game losing streak and won back-to-back games since inserting Rudolph as the starting quarterback.
Now heading towards Week 18, the Steelers (9-7) are facing a Ravens team that has already clinched the No. 1 seed in the AFC, with their playoff hopes still alive en route to the final week of the season.
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