Mason Rudolph to start Steelers must-win vs. Ravens - ESPN

PITTSBURGH — With their playoff hopes hanging in the balance, the Pittsburgh Steelers are sticking with Mason Rudolph.

Though 2022 first-round pick Kenny Pickett has been medically cleared to return following TightRope surgery on his ankle, coach Mike Tomlin said Monday he's sticking with Rudolph at quarterback in a must-win regular-season finale against the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday.

«Kenny's availability is less than question this week,» Tomlin said Monday. «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.»

To reach the playoffs, the Steelers have to beat Balitmore and get help from other teams throughout the final weekend of games.

Since Rudolph, who replaced Mitch Trubisky in the final minutes of the Week 15 loss to the Indianapolis Colts, took over the starting job against the Cincinnati Bengals, the Steelers offense has erupted to average 32 points and 432.5 yards of offense per game. In the win against the Seattle Seahawks, Rudolph completed 18 of 24 attempts for 274 yards with no interceptions.

«He's done a nice job,» Tomlin said of Rudolph. «He's got a great deal of confidence in himself, and it is real. I think it's contagious. He's aggressive in style of play, and I think that's helpful, particularly when you're up against it. The calculated risk taking associated with the pursuit of victory is important, and he's displayed