Backup quarterback Mason Rudolph led the Pittsburgh Steelers to victory on Sunday after Aaron Rodgers suffered a wrist injury, which requires further evaluation
23:44 ET, 16 Nov 2025Updated 23:45 ET, 16 Nov 2025
Aaron Rodgers may have suffered a 'small crack' in his non-throwing wrist
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Aaron Rodgers may have suffered a 'small crack' in his non-throwing wrist(Image: 2025 Michael Owens)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers didn't return after suffering an injury during Sunday's 34-12 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals and may have a 'slight break' in his non-throwing wrist.
Rodgers landed heavily on his left wrist after being tackled at the end of the second quarter as the Steelers were at 2nd-and-goal. The NFL veteran stayed in for one more play before Chris Boswell kicked a field goal to end the half, but Rodgers didn't return to the field.
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It's the second hand injury in Pittsburgh's quarterback room, after rookie Will Howard missed the preseason and was placed on the injured reserve list. However, Rodgers' injury isn't expected to be long-term, but he may have suffered a small break, according to ESPN.
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The Steelers will learn more about Rodgers' injury on Monday, when the veteran undergoes further testing. Rodgers was 9-for-15 with 116 yards and one touchdown against Cincinnati before backup Mason Rudolph replaced him.
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin claimed that Rodgers was ecstatic with the victory, but didn't have a lot to say about the injury. "He was excited about the win," Tomlin said.
"I just talked to him, but that's all we talked about. We didn't talk about his injury. We talked about the significance of the win."
Mason Rudolph finished the game and completed the assignment against Joe Flacco
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Mason Rudolph finished the game and completed the assignment against Joe Flacco(Image: 2025 Getty Images)
Tomlin was also asked whether Rodgers could have returned to the game or whether his injury was too severe. "I don't have the answer to that, to be honest with you," he added. "I'll have more information next time we talk."
Rudolph was also asked about Rodgers, but insisted that the only communication he received was that he would be starting the second half. "I saw what you guys saw, which was (Rodgers) kind of go down gingerly a little bit, but I wasn't sure of the severity, and I'm still really not sure, either," Rudolph said.
"We talked in the locker room, and he told me, he gave me the finger -- not the bad finger, but the index -- and said you're going in."
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin won't know more about Rodgers until Monday
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Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin won't know more about Rodgers until Monday(Image: 2025 Getty Images)
Rudolph went 12-for-16 with 127 yards and one touchdown after replacing Rodgers, and both quarterbacks found running back Kenneth Gainwell in the end zone from close range. Pittsburgh's defense also scored two touchdowns following an interception return and a forced fumble late in the game.
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While Tomlin awaits more information on Rodgers, he praised Rudolph after the game for stepping in and picking up where the four-time MVP left off. "Mason's proven in the past what he showed today," Tomlin said.
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"That's why we value him as a member of this collective and are appreciative of his play -- and certainly Kenny Gainwell made play after play for us, winning in the flat and so forth, but a lot of guys did."
Rudolph re-signed with the Steelers this past offseason on a two-year, $8 million deal. Pittsburgh selected the quarterback in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft, but he left as a free agent after six seasons. Rudolph reunited with Tomlin after a single season with the Tennessee Titans.