Steelers' Pickett in concussion protocol

Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said he didn’t know “the details regarding the sequence” that led to rookie quarterback Kenny Picket initially being cleared to play before being put into concussion protocol during a 16-14 loss to Baltimore on Sunday.

Pickett was shaken up after getting sacked by Baltimore linebacker Roquan Smith at the end of Pittsburgh’s first drive. He was evaluated by medical personnel and cleared to return, playing one more series before being ruled out for the remainder of the game and replaced by Mitch Trubisky.

Tomlin said Pickett was pulled after he became symptomatic.

The NFL and the NFL Players Association modified the language in the protocol earlier this season after Miami quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was allowed to return after experiencing stability issues following a hit against Buffalo in September.

The new guidelines added balance/stability concerns to the league’s list of symptoms that would keep a player from returning to the game.

Pickett sat on the ground for several seconds after getting driven into the ground by Smith, but he did not appear to have any mobility issues walking off the field.

Trubisky warmed up briefly while Pickett spent time in the blue medical tent and then checked on his teammate before Pickett went out for Pittsburgh’s second drive.

“I just kept asking him how he was feeling,” Trubisky said. “He said he was feeling fine, and that was that.”

This is the second time this season Pickett has been placed in the protocol. He missed the second half of a victory over Tampa Bay on Oct. 16.

SOUTH SHUTOUT >> With their 30-24 home loss to the Panthers, the Seahawks (7-6) went a surprising 0-4 against the NFC South this season.

Seattle also lost at home to Atlanta, lost at New Orleans and fell to Tampa Bay when the teams met in Germany. IMPROVED EFFORT >> Deshaun Watson had an unspectacular season debut in last week’s win over the Texans. The Browns quarterback was better on Sunday in a 23-10 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.

He returned last week after an 11-game suspension resulting from accusations by more than two dozen women that he sexually harassed or assaulted them.

On Sunday, he completed 26 of 42 passes for 276 yards with a touchdown and an interception. He also had 33 of the Browns’ 71 rushing yards.

Watson threw for 131 yards with no touchdowns and an interception the week before.