Mike Tomlin said Tuesday if Kenny Pickett is cleared to play, he'll be the Steelers' quarterback Sunday night in Miami.
The team announced Friday morning that Pickett, Pat Freiermuth and Levi Wallace have all cleared concussion protocol. All three players were full participants in practice throughout the week and are cleared to start against the Dolphins.
Pickett suffered a concussion after taking a hit from Devin White in last week's 20-18 victory over the Buccaneers while Freiermuth and Wallace both sustained concussions during the 38-3 blowout in Buffalo the week before. Freiermuth and Wallace were both limited in the week leading up to the Buccaneers game and both did not clear protocol in time to play.
The trio have all been full participants in practice this week leading up to the final practice on Friday, which was expected from the outset.
"It's my understanding that (Pickett's) work won't be limited in any way in preparation," Tomlin said. "So we'll adhere to the protocol. We'll follow that and let that be our guide in terms of participation."
On the note of a much more documented concussion, Tua Tagovailoa will be suiting up to face the Steelers Sunday night, which is the first time he'll be taking the field since sustaining a severe concussion that triggered changes to the league's protocol.
Regarding the rest of the players that have been on the injury report, the vast majority of them will be returning to action in Miami. In addition to Pickett, Freiermuth and Wallace, Cam Sutton (hamstring), Minkah Fitzpatrick (knee), Myles Jack (ankle), Mason Cole (foot/ankle), James Daniels (ankle), Chris Wormley (ankle), Larry Ogunjobi (knee) and Cam Heyward (veteran rest) were all full participants in Friday's practice and are a full go for Sunday night.
CB James Pierre (hip) popped up on Thursday's injury report and was limited in practice the past two days. He is questionable for the game. While he made a return to practice this week for the first time since being injured in Week 3, CB Ahkello Witherspoon (hamstring) is listed as doubtful. He will likely be joining WR Steven Sims (hamstring) as one of the Steelers' inactives, who is already ruled out.
