Pittsburgh Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers potentially hurt his hand or wrist toward the end of the first half in the team’s Week 11 game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Rodgers appeared to land hard on his wrist on an incomplete pass on a second down in the red zone, and he was grabbing at his left wrist for the remainder of the drive.
He was able to make a throw on third down after it appeared he got hurt.
Rodgers hasn’t missed any time with injury for the Steelers this season. He had a similar issue ahead of Week 9 against the Indianapolis Colts when it appeared he was flexing his right hand during pregame warmups. While the left wrist isn’t Rodgers’ throwing hand, it can still affect him when it comes to taking snaps, and he seemed to be in visible pain.
If Rodgers can’t go, the Steelers would turn to Mason Rudolph. Will Howard is the emergency third quarterback, but he can only play if both Rodgers and Rudolph suffer injuries and can’t play. It’s the first game this season that Howard is serving as the emergency third quarterback after being activated off IR on Wednesday. Howard suffered a broken finger during training camp.
Rodgers was healthy and didn’t miss time last season with an injury, but he tore his Achilles in Week 1 of the 2023 season. He’s also suffered a broken collarbone twice, and he played through a broken right thumb during the 2022 season. However, he doesn’t have a long history of hand/wrist issues, especially when it comes to his left wrist.
Rodgers’ status will be something to monitor throughout the second half, and if he continues to look to be in pain, and if it affects his performance. Rodgers is 9-15 for 116 yards and a touchdown in the first half as the Steelers lead the Bengals 10-6 in a crucial AFC North matchup.
Losing Rodgers to an injury would be a major blow to Pittsburgh’s chances, not just today but going forward. The Steelers are currently just one game ahead of the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC North at 5-4, and while Rodgers has struggled recently, he’s still a veteran leader and the Steelers would be worse off if he couldn’t play due to an injury.
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