As Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin likes to say, one man’s misfortune is another man’s opportunity. That certainly could be the case for rookie quarterback Will Howard this week.
Veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers will not practice to begin Week 12 because of a fracture in his left wrist. Rodgers could still play Sunday against the Chicago Bears. But Mason Rudolph will run the first-team offense at Wednesday’s practice.
Rookie quarterback Will Howard could see some reps with the first-team too.
“In the meanwhile, certainly it’ll provide opportunities for Mason and Will to get quality work as we start the week, and I think that’s the posture that we’re in,” Tomlin told reporters toward the beginning of his Tuesday press conference.
Howard getting first-team offense reps at practice could be tremendous for his development.
When asked specifically about Howard practicing with the first team, Tomlin indicated it was a possibility.
“We’ll see,” Tomlin told reporters. “We’ll see where the week goes.”
Will Howard to See Opportunity With Aaron Rodgers Sidelined
To be clear, Rodgers fracturing a bone in his left wrist is not good news for the Steelers overall. A big reason why the team is 6-4 is because of the 4-time MVP’s leadership and efficiency.
With Rodgers behind center, the Steelers have greatly improved in the red zone this season. The team has been able to navigate a poor time of possession and low number of plays to have a serviceable offensive output on the scoreboard.
But Rodgers not being able to practice before the Week 12 matchup against the Bears is great fortune for Howard. The rookie signal caller missed the entire preseason because of his own hand injury. So, any reps he gets the rest of the year could be crucial to his development.
The timing of Rodgers’ injury couldn’t be any better for Howard. The rookie quarterback just came off injured reserve on November 12.
Granted, Pittsburgh’s primary objective this week will be getting Rudolph ready to face Chicago. Howard’s practice opportunities will likely only be tied to having him prepared enough in case he has to play versus the Bears.
But again, any chances the rookie receives in practice is good for his career in the long term.
Mike Tomlin Complimentary of Howard
The rookie quarterback came off injured reserve just a week ago. But the Steelers opened his 21-day practice window on October 22.
Even before that, Howard was studying Rodgers from the sideline. Tomlin told reporters Tuesday the rookie’s work has been very good.
“He’s a sharp guy. Like the general trajectory of his work,” Tomlin told reporters. “He’s certainly in the position that he’s in, doesn’t get a lot of quote/unquote, ‘Steelers reps,’ but the reps that he does get he has taken advantage of, and I’m sure there will be an uptick in those opportunities this week.”
That will surely excite Steelers fans. However, Steelers Nation should keep in mind that there’s no doubt that Rudolph is QB2 behind Rodgers.
Steelers insider Mark Kaboly reminded Steelers fans of that fact on X on Tuesday.
“If Will Howard gets ‘first team reps’ this week, it will be very few and be just in case Rodgers is out and Rudolph gets hurt in the game,” Kaboly posted. “It doesn’t mean he has a chance to start over Mason.”
Still, any opportunity Howard gets in practice is good for his development.
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