Quarterback Aaron Rodgers didn’t practice for the Pittsburgh Steelers on Wednesday. But he is going to try and practice Thursday.
That’s what ESPN’s Brooke Pryor reported Wednesday evening on X.
“Aaron Rodgers did not practice Wednesday, but he says he’s going to try to practice tomorrow,” Pryor wrote.
“Says it’s more comfortable to take snaps in the shotgun right now, but goal is be able to take them under center.”
Rodgers is trying to overcome a fracture in his left (non-throwing) wrist, which he sustained Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals. Head coach Mike Tomlin told reporters Tuesday that Rodgers wanted to immediately return after suffering the injury, but the Steelers replaced him with Mason Rudolph in the second half.
The veteran quarterback, though, has been adamant that he can play in Week 12 versus the Chicago Bears on November 23. Rodgers practicing Thursday will be a great first step in the quarterback making that a reality.
Aaron Rodgers Could Potentially Practice Thursday
It’s not overly shocking Rodgers could be on the field Thursday. Tomlin stated at his weekly press conference Tuesday the team would move forward with Rudolph as QB1 at practice and see how it goes with Rodgers.
Tomlin explained three factors will determine whether the 4-time MVP will be able to start against the Bears — functionality, pain tolerance and effectiveness.
Given that Rodgers wanted to play through the injury immediately, pain tolerance shouldn’t be an issue. How Rodgers will be able to protect the ball and himself will greatly influence whether he can start.
Whether he can also deliver passes with precision and accuracy is the other factor. Those determinations will begin to be made Thursday if Rodgers is on the field.
Tomlin didn’t say Rodgers has to practice in order to start. However, it will be much easier for the quarterback to prove he has adequate functionality and effectiveness should he practice.
Rudolph will start if Rodgers can’t play. If that’s the case, rookie Will Howard, who returned from injured reserve on November 12, will serve as QB2 for the first time.
Steelers Week 12 Injury Report on Wednesday
Rodgers was one of six Steelers players to not practice at all to begin preparations for the Bears. Three of those players didn’t practice due to rest. The other two were because of injury reasons.
Running back Jaylen Warren was sidelined with an ankle injury while edge rusher Alex Highsmith was out because of a pectoral issue. Left guard Isaac Seumalo is also still dealing with his pectoral injury, but he was limited in practice Wednesday.
Along with Seumalo, wide receiver Ke’Shawn Williams was also limited because of a concussion.
Cornerback Darius Slay and linebacker Cole Holcomb both missed the Week 11 matchup versus the Bengals. But both players were back fully practicing Wednesday. Slay suffered a concussion in Week 10 while Holcomb has missed the past three contests because of an illness.
Similar to Rodgers, Warren didn’t finish Sunday’s showdown versus Cincinnati. Veteran running back Kenneth Gainwell filled in and scored two touchdowns in the Steelers’ victory.
If Highsmith can’t play, edge rusher Nick Herbig, who has been Pittsburgh’s top defender at times this season, will see more opportunities.
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