Injury to Steelers rookie QB Will Howard means more playing time for Skylar Thompson

The broken bone in Will Howard’s hand could keep the rookie sixth-round pick sidelined for the entire preseason. It also will leave the Pittsburgh Steelers short-handed at quarterback when they play the Jacksonville Jaguars on Saturday night in their opening exhibition game.

Coach Mike Tomlin confirmed Wednesday that Howard broke a finger on his right (throwing) hand during practice a day earlier. Tomlin listed Howard’s status as “week-to-week” and said the quarterback is “looking at his options.”

“It appears to be non-surgical,” Tomlin added.

For the short term, Howard’s injury will elevate Skylar Thompson’s role in the quarterback room. Listed as the fourth-team option in the initial depth chart, Thompson figures to get plenty of playing time Saturday after getting limited reps in the first two weeks of training camp.

“It’s definitely not the way you want the opportunity to come to get more reps, but I’ve been preparing this whole time as if I’m getting the reps,” Thompson said Wednesday morning before practice at Saint Vincent College. “Nothing is going to change other than me physically getting them.”

Howard was injured Tuesday during a center-quarterback exchange and was taken by cart to the training room. He had several fingers on his right hand bandaged Wednesday and did not speak to reporters during either media availability. He was able to sign autographs after practice.

“It (stinks) for him for sure because he’s had such a nice camp as a young player,” starter Aaron Rodgers said. “Watching him at minicamp and seeing his command of the offense … but this year is a growth year for him, a year to watch and learn.

“It would have been great to see him get some live reps in the preseason. I’m not sure when he’s going to be back. Hopefully, he’s back for the second or third game. Either way, it’s a year for him to grow and learn and get his body the way he wants to get it and get ready to be the guy for a long time.”

Thompson’s snaps have dwindled since Rodgers’ arrival. Rodgers missed spring workouts and was mostly a bystander during minicamp in June, but his presence in training camp has had a trickle-down effect.

Mason Rudolph entered camp as the backup. Howard, after initially taking fewer snaps than Thompson, bypassed his former Kansas State teammate for the third spot.

“It has been challenging,” Thompson said.

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Before he signed with the Steelers in January, Thompson had spent three seasons in Miami and was the Dolphins’ seventh-round draft pick in 2022, the same year in which the Steelers drafted Kenny Pickett in the first round.

Thompson made 10 appearances and three starts with the Dolphins, including one in the 2022 playoffs against Buffalo because of a concussion to starter Tua Tagovailoa.

“I’m in a position where I haven’t had as many reps as I have in years past,” he said. “That’s a different dynamic to it. There are different ways to continue to stay on top of your stuff and still get those reps. That’s the biggest challenge for me to this point.”

With Rodgers unlikely to play in the preseason opener, Thompson could play at least one half against the Jaguars. And he will do it with minimal training camp snaps.

“I feel like mentally I’ve been doing the work already,” he said. “I know this playbook and what my job is to do and execute what they are asking me to do on every play. For me, it’s banking on my past. Even though I haven’t gotten a lot of reps, I have a lot of reps built up in my career and lifetime. It’s banking on those, trusting my muscle memory that my body knows what to do and trust my reads, trust my decision-making, let the ball rip and don’t hesitate. That’s going to be my mindset going into it.”

Injury update

First-round draft pick Derrick Harmon did not practice with what Tomlin described as “minor things associated with the rigors of training camp.” Harmon is listed as a starter on the defensive line. Fellow rookie Yahya Black got some work at defensive end in Harmon’s absence.

Also missing practice were cornerbacks Jalen Ramsey, Darius Slay, Cory Trice Jr., defensive back Donte Kent and wide receiver Calvin Austin III. Returning on a partial basis were cornerback Joey Porter Jr. and offensive lineman Gareth Warren.

Austin has missed several days of practice. Asked about his potential return, Tomlin said, “He’ll be perking back up here, I’d imagine.”