The Pittsburgh Steelers really took off in the second half of the 2022 season once rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett began to find his groove. Things were ugly prior to the bye week when he threw eight of his nine interceptions on the season.
Whatever the Steelers’ coaching staff did with him after the bye worked wonders. Pickett’s ball security improved exponentially as he threw only one interception the rest of the way. While he still wasn’t putting up prolific numbers, when the team needed him to make a play, he stepped up and did it.
The only thing that truly held Pickett back in the second half of the season was his health. In the span of 56 days, the Steelers’ quarterback suffered two concussions, which led to him missing parts or all of three games.
That is a scary thing for Pickett and the team as concussions can be detrimental to a player’s long-term health. Look at how much it impacted Tua Tagovailoa of the Miami Dolphins, who suffered two documented head injuries of his own last season.
Looking to better protect Pickett, he has been trying out a new helmet that claims to be completely new in how it protects players from head injuries. Here is a blurb from the manufacturer of the VICSI ZERO2 helmet, via Steelers Wire.
“The next level in design, performance, and protection. Flexible outer shell technology, exclusive to VICIS helmets, allows the ZERO2 to respond like no other helmet on the market. By deforming like a car bumper, impact forces are absorbed at the point of contact, before they reach the head. The result is not only groundbreaking protection but a helmet that feels like no other.”
There are some potential pitfalls with his decision for a football player as it could lead to deformities in the helmet upon contact. For a high-contact sport such as football, it could mean having to have multiple backups ready just in case.
But, if it does help limit the number of injuries to the upper body and head, teams should be willing to make such an adjustment. The Steelers know how important it is to keep Pickett healthy and on the field and they are going to great lengths to help ensure that continues in 2023 and beyond.
