Kenny Pickett Injury Update
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett will be sidelined in Week 14 due to a high ankle sprain that required surgical intervention to expedite the healing process. Head coach Mike Tomlin provided the update on Pickett’s injury status, revealing that the surgery took place in the morning. Although specific details about the recovery timeline remain uncertain, Tomlin assured that the injury is not deemed season-ending.
Pickett initially sustained the high ankle sprain during the Week 12 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals. Despite the injury, he played through the pain in Week 13 against the Arizona Cardinals, wearing a brace on his ankle. The decision to undergo surgery suggests a commitment to a faster recovery and an eagerness to have Pickett back on the field as soon as possible.
In the absence of Pickett, the Steelers will turn to Mitch Trubisky as their starting quarterback, with Mason Rudolph serving as the backup. Trubisky has previously started for the team, holding a 2-3 record in such games. In the recent game against the Cardinals, Trubisky displayed efficiency by completing 11 of 17 passes for 117 yards and contributing a touchdown.
Coach Tomlin refrained from providing a definitive timetable for Pickett’s return, opting for a week-to-week assessment of the quarterback position. While the Steelers navigate the challenge without their starting quarterback, the hope remains that Pickett will recover and rejoin the team in the latter part of the season.
Who is Kenny Pickett?
Kenny Pickett is a prominent American football quarterback currently playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the National Football League (NFL). His football journey began at the University of Pittsburgh, where he excelled as a quarterback. Pickett’s outstanding performance during his senior year earned him the prestigious Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, a testament to his skill and leadership on the field. His remarkable collegiate career caught the attention of the Pittsburgh Steelers, who selected him in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, marking the beginning of his professional career in the NFL.
Hailing as a rising star, Kenny Pickett’s transition from college football to the NFL reflects his exceptional talent and dedication to the sport. With a proven track record at the University of Pittsburgh and recognition with the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, Pickett is poised to make significant contributions to the Pittsburgh Steelers as their quarterback. The first-round draft pick showcases the team’s confidence in his abilities, and fans can anticipate an exciting chapter in Pickett’s career as he takes on the challenges of professional football in the NFL.
Kenny Pickett Career
Kenny Pickett, born in the Oakhurst section of Ocean Township, New Jersey, embarked on a notable football career that began at Ocean Township High School. Graduating in 2017, Pickett left a mark as the quarterback for the Spartans, leading them to the New Jersey Central Group III semifinals during his junior year with a 9–2 record. His impressive high school career, amassing 4,670 passing yards, 43 touchdowns, and 873 rushing yards with 17 touchdowns, garnered attention, earning him the No. 23 ranking among high school football players in New Jersey by 247Sports.
Pickett’s college journey started at the University of Pittsburgh, where he initially served as a backup during his true freshman season in 2017. His breakout moment came in the final game of that season against the second-ranked Miami Hurricanes, where he led Pittsburgh to an upset victory, showcasing his dual-threat abilities. Over the subsequent years, Pickett solidified his position as the starting quarterback, leading Pittsburgh to their first-ever ACC Coastal Division Championship in 2018 and achieving success in subsequent seasons, including a thrilling victory in the 2019 Quick Lane Bowl.
The COVID-19 pandemic shortened the 2020 season, but Pickett and the Panthers still managed a 6–5 record. Taking advantage of the NCAA’s extra year of eligibility, Pickett returned in 2021, culminating in a standout performance. He set school records with 4,319 yards and 42 touchdowns, earning him first-team All-American honors and placing third in Heisman Trophy voting. Pittsburgh won the ACC Championship, finishing 11–2 in games Pickett started.
In the 2022 NFL Draft, Pickett was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round (20th overall). Despite starting the season as a backup, he made his NFL debut in Week 4, showcasing his potential with impressive statistics. By Week 6, Pickett was named the starter and achieved his first career win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. His rookie season was marked by late-game heroics, setting records as the first rookie quarterback in NFL history to throw game-winning touchdowns in the final minute of the fourth quarter in two consecutive games.
In the 2023 season, Pickett continued to make strides, displaying his prowess as a quarterback with notable performances, including his first professional game with multiple touchdown passes. Despite facing injuries, Pickett demonstrated resilience, leading the Steelers to victories and solidifying his promising career in the NFL.
Kenny Pickett Parents
Kenny Pickett’s parents, Ken Pickett and Kasey Pickett have played integral roles in shaping the quarterback’s athletic journey. Ken Pickett, Kenny’s father, brings a football legacy to the family as a former linebacker. He showcased his skills on the field during his playing days at Shippensburg University, earning a notable accolade by being selected to the All-America Second Team in his senior year. Beyond his playing career, Ken took on the role of coaching his son in flag football from the tender age of five, fostering Kenny’s early love for the sport. This coaching relationship endured throughout Kenny’s high school years, emphasizing the father-son bond in both football and life.
Kasey Pickett, Kenny’s mother, adds a different sporting dimension to the family. A former soccer player at Division II Kutztown University, she met Ken Pickett in the 90s, forming a partnership that has been a cornerstone of support for Kenny. Described as Kenny’s biggest supporter, Kasey has consistently been there for her son, providing unwavering encouragement throughout his football career. Their collective influence underscores the importance of family support in Kenny Pickett’s journey from a young flag football player coached by his father to a standout quarterback in the NFL.
Kenny Pickett Siblings
Kenny Pickett, the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback, has a sister named Alex Pickett. Born and raised in the Oakhurst section of Ocean Township, New Jersey, Alex is the only sibling of Kenny Pickett. Despite being the sister of a high-profile NFL quarterback, Alex intentionally maintains a low profile regarding her professional life. Currently serving as an assistant coach for Seton Hill Women’s Soccer, she has chosen not to disclose much about her career in interviews or on social media.
Alex Pickett’s journey in soccer began during her high school years at Ocean Township High School, where she was a four-year member of the soccer program. During this time, she earned recognition with selections to the All-Division and All Monmouth County teams twice. After high school, Alex continued her soccer career at East Stroudsburg University. Her freshman year highlighted her innate talent, and she played a pivotal role in the East Stroudsburg Warriors’ postseason appearances, contributing to four NCAA tournaments, three Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Championships, and one NCAA Atlantic Regional Championship.
Throughout her time at East Stroudsburg University, Alex Pickett received numerous accolades, being chosen thrice for All PSAC selection and securing All-Region Honors in her last three seasons. She concluded her impressive playing career in 2018. In 2020, she transitioned into a coaching role, joining Seton Hill Women’s Soccer as an assistant coach. While Alex Pickett is often recognized as Kenny Pickett’s sister, her accomplishments and successful soccer career at both the collegiate and coaching levels demonstrate her prowess in the sports arena.
Kenny Pickett Wife
Kenny Pickett, the quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers, exchanged vows with Amy Paternoster in a picturesque celebration on June 24, 2023, in New Jersey. Despite officially dating since 2021, the roots of their relationship trace back to their shared upbringing in the same town near the Jersey shore. The couple’s connection began early on, as they both frequented the same gym due to their mutual love for sports. Pickett and Paternoster, both athletes, started training together when Pickett was 12 and Amy was 10, fostering a bond that would later blossom into romance.
Their shared passion for sports not only brought them together but also introduced them to a circle of friends who shared similar interests. Growing up in the sports world, with Pickett’s prominence in Pittsburgh football, the couple developed strong friendships along their journey.
While Pickett and Paternoster initially met in their hometown, their paths crossed again later in life after they pursued their separate college journeys. Kenny Pickett played football at the University of Pittsburgh, achieving recognition as a Heisman Trophy finalist in his senior year and subsequently being selected by the Steelers in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Amy Paternoster, on the other hand, played soccer at Princeton University, earning the Academic All-Ivy award in 2021.
Before her college years, Paternoster garnered several accolades in soccer, including being named Gatorade’s New Jersey Girls Soccer Player of the Year and receiving All-American honors. She graduated with honors from Princeton University, earning a bachelor’s degree in economics and a certificate in finance. Despite the demands of being a full-time college athlete, Paternoster successfully balanced her academic and athletic pursuits, even securing prestigious internships at Goldman Sachs and Ardian.
Currently, Amy Paternoster works as a private equity associate at PNC Riverarch Capital in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The couple’s relationship, solidified by their shared love for sports and mutual support, has been evident not only in their personal lives but also on social media, where they publicly express their encouragement for each other amid their busy schedules.
Kenny Pickett’s Net Worth
Kenny Pickett’s Net Worth is $6 million. His primary source of income is derived from his professional football career in the National Football League (NFL). As the starting quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pickett earns a substantial salary and additional income through various avenues such as endorsements, sponsorships, and appearances. NFL players, particularly starting quarterbacks, often have opportunities to engage in brand partnerships and promotional activities, contributing to their overall income.
Pickett’s contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers, as negotiated during his entry into the NFL, plays a significant role in determining his earnings. NFL contracts typically include base salaries, performance bonuses, and potentially other incentives based on individual and team achievements. Additionally, star players like Pickett may attract sponsorship deals with sports brands, apparel companies, and other businesses seeking to align with their image and success on the field.
While specific details of Pickett’s financial arrangements may not be publicly disclosed, it’s customary for NFL players to have diversified income streams beyond their salaries from the league. These additional income sources contribute to the overall financial success of professional football players like Kenny Pickett.
Kenny Pickett Age
As of 2023, Kenny Pickett is 25 years old, marking a pivotal stage in his professional football career. At this age, he has already achieved significant milestones, emerging as the starting quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the National Football League (NFL). Pickett’s youth, coupled with his accomplishments, showcases his early success and potential for continued growth in the years ahead. With a promising future ahead, his age positions him as a dynamic force in the NFL, contributing to the Steelers’ success on the field.
Kenny Pickett Physical Attributes
Kenny Pickett stands at a height of 6 feet 3 inches (1.91 meters) and carries a weight of 220 pounds (100 kilograms). With a towering stature, Pickett possesses a commanding physical presence on the football field, essential for a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL). His robust build at 220 pounds underscores both strength and durability, crucial attributes for a player in a physically demanding position. Pickett’s impressive physical dimensions contribute to his ability to navigate the pocket, showcase agility, and deliver powerful throws.
What Happened to Kenny Pickett?
Kenny Pickett suffered a high ankle sprain against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 12 but played through the injury in Week 13 against the Cardinals. Despite not missing any practice time, he underwent surgery to accelerate healing. Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin confirmed Pickett’s absence in Week 14, assuming it’s not a season-ending injury. Mitch Trubisky will start in Pickett’s place, with Mason Rudolph as backup. Tomlin cited uncertainty about Pickett’s return timetable, opting for a week-to-week assessment. Trubisky, with a 2-3 record as a starter, showed promise with 11 completions for 117 yards and a touchdown against the Cardinals.