Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers leaves game vs. Bengals because of wrist injury

Chris Adamski
Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025 2:54 p.m. | Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025 2:54 p.m.

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is sacked by Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Myles Murphy (99) and defensive tackle B.J. Hill.

9051685_web1_2025-11-10T051056Z_74053633_MT1USATODAY27550652_RTRMADP_3_NFL-PITTSBURGH-STEELERS-AT-LOS-ANGELES-CHARGERS

Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin and quarterback Aaron Rodgers walk off the field after last week’s loss at the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium. Rodgers suffered a hand injury late in the first half of Sunday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers suffered an injury to his non-throwing hand late in the first half of Sunday’s home game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Backup Mason Rudolph took over in the second half.

The team acknowledged Rodgers’ injury and initially classified him as questionable to return, but he did not again take the field.

Rodgers was taking snaps and leading the Steelers to a field-goal drive to effectively close out the first half. Twice during that possession, the Bengals were flagged for roughing the passer.

Television replays showed Rodgers grimacing in pain as he held his left wrist.

Aaron Rodgers is grimacing in pain while holding his left hand/wrist pic.twitter.com/lynkCrGrQT

— NFL on CBS ???? (@NFLonCBS) November 16, 2025

Rodgers appeared to suffer the injury on a play with 17 seconds to play in the half on the Steelers’ penultimate offensive snap. After an incomplete pass during which Rodgers was hit by Cincinnati defensive linemen Kris Jenkins Jr. and Miles Murphy, the Steelers used a timeout. Rodgers braced his fall with his left hand on the play, and it was after that when he was shown in apparent pain. Rodgers stayed in for the ensuing play, an incomplete pass.

Rodgers retreated into the tunnel to the Steelers’ locker room after a Chris Boswell field goal gave the Steelers a 10-6 lead but before time had expired in the first half.

Rudolph was taking warm-up snaps with starting center Zach Frazier before halftime ended. Rudolph, a seven-year veteran who is in his sixth season with the Steelers, is 8-4-1 as a starter for the Steelers. After spending 2024 as a backup with the Tennessee Titans, Rudolph was brought back in March via a two-year, $7.5 million contract.

For only the second time this season, the Steelers had a third quarterback in uniform. Rookie sixth-round pick Will Howard was activated off the injured reserve list Wednesday and was in uniform as a pro for the first time. He could only enter the game under “emergency” circumstances if Rudolph was injured.

Chris Adamski is a TribLive reporter who has covered primarily the Pittsburgh Steelers since 2014 following two seasons on the Penn State football beat. A Western Pennsylvania native, he joined the Trib in 2012 after spending a decade covering Pittsburgh sports for other outlets. He can be reached at cadamski@triblive.com.