After playing well in Saturday’s victory over the Bengals, Mason Rudolph is once again in line to start for the Steelers in Week 17.

But head coach Mike Tomlin stopped short of saying Rudolph will definitely start on New Year’s Eve against the Seahawks.

Related players: Kenny Pickett

Via Brooke Pryor of ESPN, Tomlin said Pickett — who’s recovering from ankle surgery — is still in the same position as he was last week. Rudolph will get the starter’s reps at the start of the practice week and the club will see where Pickett’s mobility is as the week continues, the story went on to say.

Mike Tomlin officially ruled out QB Kenny Pickett for Saturday’s game vs. Cincinnati. Steelers’ QB Mason Rudolph officially starts.

Related Players: Mitch Trubisky

It is very unlikely that Rudolph hits the ground running to bolster this anemic offense. The last time we saw a Mason Rudolph start was in Week 10 of the 2021 season, when it took him 52 dropbacks to grind out 242 yards, with 4.8 yards per attempt. He is a desperation-play Superflex option, even in a good matchup against the Bengals defense.

The Steelers expect Mason Rudolph to start Saturday’s game against the Bengals, but Kenny Pickett is pointed in the right direction of being the backup this week.

Pickett returned to limited work Tuesday.

He has missed the past two weeks after tightrope surgery on a high ankle sprain, the story said. Pickett isn't expected to play this week despite his return to practice, however as we reported Monday, Tomlin and the Steelers have yet to officially rule Pickett out for Week 16.

The Steelers are benching QB Mitch Trubisky and going with Mason Rudolph this week, coach Mike Tomlin announced.

Related players: Mitch Trubisky, Kenny Pickett

Rudolph will get to lead the Steelers sleigh just in time for Christmas. But, there likely isn't going to be a dramatic change in the offense when all is said an done. Rudolph got the call with about six minutes left in the game after Trubisky threw a bad interception with the team trailing 27-13 and needing a quick score. Rudolph was just 2 for 3 for three yards in his time. One thing to note is other reports say Tomlin said Pickett is improving and hasn't been ruled out. The Steelers play another Saturday game, this time against the Bengals at home.

Steelers QB Kenny Pickett has a knee injury, but the belief is the injury is not season-ending.

Related players: Mitch Trubisky, Mason Rudolph

Rapoport said Pickett will get an MRI, and they are looking at the MCL and meniscus. His ACL is reportedly in tact. Rapoport added there just isn't a lot of information now but Pickett is going to miss some time with the injury but should return this season. Trubisky will get the start in Week 5, which is an early game at home vs. the Ravens. The Steelers do have a bye in Week 6 before traveling to the the Rams in Week 7.

Mike Tomlin said if QB Kenny Pickett (concussion protocol) is "able to work, we'll work him. If not, we'll get Mitch Trubisky and Mason Rudolph ready." He said when dealing with concussion protocol, you take it day-to-day.

Don't expect the Steelers to rush back Pickett to the field as he's dealing with his second concussion this season. Trubisky would likely draw the start if Pickett can't go. The Steelers are at the Panthers in Week 15.