Mike Tomlin: Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers won't need surgery on fractured wrist, could start vs. Bears | TribLIVE.com
TribLive Logo
| Back | Text Size:
https://triblive.com/sports/steelers-live-mike-tomlin-previews-week-12-matchup-with-bears/

Mike Tomlin: Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers won't need surgery on fractured wrist, could start vs. Bears

Joe Rutter
| Tuesday, November 18, 2025 12:00 p.m.
Chaz Palla | TribLive
Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers plays against the Bengals on Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025 at Acrisure Stadium.

Aaron Rodgers has a fractured left wrist that won’t require surgery, leaving open the possibility he could start Sunday for the Pittsburgh Steelers when they play the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field.

Rodgers was injured late in the first half of the Steelers’ 34-12 victory against the Cincinnati Bengals when he landed on his left wrist as he braced for a fall after being hit.

Rodgers underwent further testing Monday, and it determined the extent of his injury.

“Really, it’s just about bracing and securing it for his comfort and safety,” coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday at his weekly news conference. “Then, it’s about how functional he is. We don’t have the answers to that as we stand here today. I imagine we’ll get some clarity as we push through the week.

“I think his experience really aids in that. He’s the type of guy and has the type of profile that doesn’t require a lot of physical work in an effort to be ready to play, and that is helpful.”

Rodgers will not practice Wednesday, Tomlin said, adding that he would like to see the 41-year-old quarterback get in some practice reps by Friday.

“I assume it’s going to be a little later in the week,” Tomlin said. “Meanwhile, it will allow us to get solid with the plan and the physical preparation of the other two (quarterbacks).”

Mason Rudolph would be in line to make his first start of the season if Rodgers doesn’t get cleared to play. Rookie sixth-round pick Will Howard is the other quarterback on the 53-man roster.

Rudolph played the second half and completed 12 of 16 passes for 127 yards and a touchdown as the Steelers pulled away after taking a 10-6 lead at intermission.

“I can’t say enough about Mason Rudolph,” Tomlin said. “Although we’re used to it, it’s still appreciated. He’s proven over his time here that he is capable of coming in and playing winning football for us, and that’s no small task.”

Rudolph will get the first-team work early in the practice week while Rodgers mends. Tomlin said Howard could see some work with the starting offense.

Howard was activated from injured reserve last week. He was sidelined for the first nine games because of a broken finger on his throwing hand, an injury that he suffered in training camp. He served as the No. 3 quarterback against Cincinnati for the first time.

“He’s a sharp guy,” Tomlin said. “I like the general trajectory of his work. He’s certainly in the position that he’s in. He doesn’t get a lot of ‘Steelers reps.’ The reps he gets, he takes advantage of. I’m sure there will be an uptick in those opportunities this week.”

Before departing, Rodgers completed 9 of 15 passes for 116 yards and a touchdown against Cincinnati. Tomlin said Rodgers wanted to go back into the game after the injury.

Rodgers has started 27 consecutive games since 2023 when he tore his Achilles just a few snaps into the regular season with the Jets and was lost for the year.

“I know he’s working his tail off to be a component of this,” Tomlin said. “I’m of the mindset of supporting that while, at the same time, I have a healthy collective of guys as a team and as a unit to ready. That will be our mindset.”

The Steelers have a lifetime 1-12 record against the Bears in Chicago. Rodgers, on the other hand, has a 25-4 record in 29 career starts against the franchise regardless of venue, and he has won 11 of his past 12 games at Soldier Field.

“Aaron always wants to play,” Tomlin said. “Opponent has nothing to do with it. It’s his love affair with the game of football.”


Copyright ©2025— Trib Total Media, LLC (TribLIVE.com)