The Pittsburgh Steelers are many weeks removed from their 2025 bye week, and the middle of the season is here. That means more and more players are getting injured as time goes on. They already dealt with those issues at the very beginning of the season. Pittsburgh got healthy again at one point, but those concerns have fired right back up, with numerous key players having to sit out of their Week 11 win, and that could be the case for the upcoming game as well. That includes quarterback Aaron Rodgers getting hurt in the second half of that contest.
Justin Guido / Post-Gazette
Steelers' Aaron Rodgers takes a big hit during a game against the Bengals.
Rodgers' new wrist injury means that Mason Rudolph will be the starter until he is ready to go, but if something happens to him, then they will have to turn to their sixth-round rookie Will Howard. Obviously, the hope is that Rudolph stays healthy until the 41-year-old is back as a full participant, but steps may have to be taken to get Howard ready just in case something unfortunate comes up.
During his typical Tomlin Tuesday press conference this week, Head Coach Mike Tomlin was asked about the potential of Howard getting some first-team reps at practice now. He refused to outright rule that out.
"We'll see," Tomlin said. "We'll see where the week goes... [Will Howard]'s been with us the whole time, and so he's a sharp guy. I like the general trajectory of his work. He's certainly in the position that he's in, doesn't get a lot of 'Steelers reps,' but the reps he does get, he is taking advantage of, and I'm sure there will be an uptick in those opportunities this week."
Howard has been on Injured Reserve (IR) for most of the season, so he could only get mental reps for a lot of that time. He did practice on scout team when he was in his 21-day return window, and that was also the case once he was activated. Now, however, he gets to work against the scout team and try to learn more about how to throw an opposing defense off.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers quarterback Will Howard (18) during 2025 training camp in Latrobe, PA.
Of course, as mentioned, Rudolph is QB1 until Rodgers is back, but he has plenty of experience working with the second-team offense before playing an actual game with the starters. It may be helpful to let Howard get a drive or two in practice with the first-team offense to continue his development and let him start to gain some sort of chemistry with the main guys.
Rudolph will still get almost all of the first-team reps leading up to Week 12 to make sure he has a strong connection with the starters, so it's not like Howard will just walk in and take over his spot on the depth chart. It's just a way to help the rookie see how the starters work first-hand, as he still has a lot to learn at the NFL level.
Steelers' Quarterback Dynamic Leading Up To Week 12
Tomlin also confirmed that Rodgers will have a chance to show what he can do on Friday before gameday to see if he is ready to go or not. At the end of the day, Rudolph is just keeping the seat warm for him. Howard is just excited to watch both of them work and learn how to be the best quarterback he can from two passers with very different careers.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph (2) during 2025 training camp in Latrobe, PA.
Howard also referred to Rudolph as "the lifeblood of the quarterback room." He may not get the national recognition, but the rookie is so enamored by what the veteran backup does in the film room and on the practice field. All in all, he believes that there could not be a more ideal situation for him, and now he will get the chance to show what he can do, whether he gets a drive with the starters or not.
What do you think about Howard possibly getting first-team reps in practice this week? Let us know in the comments or on X at @Steelers_ChrisB.
#SteelerNation
