Mike Tomlin targeted Friday as the day he would like to see injured Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers return to the practice field in some capacity.

Rodgers wants to do his head coach one better.

Rodgers is aiming to practice Thursday as he tries to come back from a left wrist fracture that caused him to miss the second half of the Steelers’ 34-12 victory against the Cincinnati Bengals.

“It feels better than it did Sunday,” Rodgers said Wednesday. “That’s for sure.”

Rodgers did not practice Wednesday. Rather, he spent his time working with the strength and conditioning staff. He is trying to find a brace that will provide the support required to keep his wrist safe and allow him to play this Sunday against the Chicago Bears.

“I’ll try to get back on the field tomorrow and see what happens,” Rodgers said.

Wearing a brace will make it more difficult for Rodgers to take snaps directly behind center Zach Frazier. He could take more in the shotgun as a concession.

“There have been times over my career when we have adjusted, and I’ve got to some pistol sets if we need to, to keep the spacing on the run distribution between the halfback and quarterback,” Rodgers said. “The goal would be to take snaps from under center.”

If Rodgers can’t play, Mason Rudolph would make his first start of the season. Rudolph relieved Rodgers in the second half and led the Steelers to a touchdown and field goal on his two full possessions. Rudolph completed 12 of 16 passes for 127 yards and a touchdown. His 118.5 passer rating was the third-highest of his career.

“My mindset is to be ready to play,” Rudolph said.

Rudolph took the first-team snaps in practice Wednesday. Rookie Will Howard, the other quarterback on the 53-man roster, worked in a backup role for the first time.

Being in limbo in the middle of a practice week is nothing new for Rudolph. In 2021, he was pressed into a start against the Detroit at the 11th hour when Ben Roethlisberger tested positive for covid-19. Rudolph took all the first-team snaps in practice the following week only to watch Roethlisberger fly to Los Angeles on Saturday and start the following night against the Chargers without any practice reps.

“I’ve got a lot of different experiences to draw from whether you find out the day before the game or you’re thrown into the game in the first quarter or second half or where you get a whole week of reps,” Rudolph said. “You definitely draw from those experiences.”

Rudolph received first-team work during offseason workouts while the Steelers were awaiting Rodgers’ decision to join them, one he didn’t reach until June. Once training camp began, such first-team work for Rudolph became limited. Unlike Roethlisberger, who routinely took a day off from practice late in career, Rodgers hasn’t taken time off.

“It’s incredible,” Rudolph said. “He hasn’t missed a practice, hasn’t missed a rep, really, all season, and he’s been banged up at times. He’s a tough competitor. In the natural flow of practice, I’ll get three reps out of a 10-pack, so it’s enough to stay sharp.”

Rodgers confirmed he injured his wrist following a second-down pass late in the first half Sunday. He attempted another pass on third down before heading to the locker room with 13 seconds left.

“I was in a lot of pain,” he said. “We were late on the play clock, called timeout, came over and I felt I could go one more play,” Rodgers said. “Then, I went and had it checked.”

Rudolph learned non-verbally from Rodgers that he would be playing to start the second half.

“No words,” Rodgers said. “I looked over and pointed to him as I was walking into the trainer’s room.”

Rodgers has a 24-5 lifetime record against the Bears, and he has won 11 of his past 12 trips to Soldier Field. He memorably told the Bears fans “I own you” during a 2021 game there.

“I have incentive for every opponent, but I have enjoyed many a Sunday and Monday and maybe Thursdays in that city,” Rodgers said.

Asked if he enjoys playing the role of the villain, much the way Roethlisberger did when he visited Cleveland, Rodgers said, “I’d rather not be. I’m not in Green Bay anymore. I feel like we can let bygones be bygones.”

Rudolph, though, knows how much Rodgers beating the Bears one final time would mean for the 41-year-old quarterback.

“He made a comment early on that there are certain games that mean a lot, games you circle, and this is one of them,” Rudolph said. “I understand his motivation to come back and take the field against an old rival.”

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