Skidding Steelers plan to start Mason Rudolph at QB vs. Bengals

The Pittsburgh Steelers plan to start Mason Rudolph at quarterback Saturday against the Cincinnati Bengals, but are leaving “the door ajar” for Kenny Pickett in case he might return from a sprained ankle, the coach said Monday Mike Tomlin.

The Steelers lost two straight games with Mitch Trubisky starting in place of the injured Pickett and fell to 7-7. Rudolph replaced Trubisky in the fourth quarter of the Steelers' 30-13 loss to the Indianapolis Colts last Saturday.

They have lost three games in a row overall, starting with a loss to the Arizona Cardinals. During that game, Pickett suffered a sprained ankle for which he later had surgery.

Tomlin said Pickett's rehab is going well, but as of Monday, “Mason Rudolph is the guy with the ball.” Tomlin said Pickett will be limited in practice this week.