The Pittsburgh Steelers are a team clinging to the thinnest of margins when it comes to their AFC Playoff hopes, and in a must-win game vs. the Cincinnati Bengals they will be without starting quarterback Kenny Pickett yet again.

While Pickett was limited in practice this week, leaving many to think he would be cleared to play vs. the Bengals, it is being reported now that Pickett won’t be in the game just three weeks after having “tight rope” surgery to help his ankle injury heal faster.

This per ESPN’s Adam Schefter:

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

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 21, 2023

This means the Steelers won’t be turning the reigns over to Mitch Trubisky, but Mason Rudolph. Rudolph will start his first game since the 2020 season when he was called in on short notice to fill in for Ben Roethlisberger when Roethlisberger couldn’t play vs. the Detroit Lions due to COVID protocols. As most fans remember, Rudolph led the Steelers to a tie with Detroit.

The Steelers will need plenty of help from their defense to aid an offense which has scored below the 18 points per game they were averaging with Matt Canada as the offensive coordinator. Can Rudolph deliver a Christmas miracle (sorry, couldn’t resist)?

Be sure to stay tuned to SCN for the latest news and notes surrounding the Steelers as they prepare for the Bengals this Saturday at Acrisure Stadium in Week 16.