Aaron Rodgers could play. If not, Mason Rudolph is in line to start against the Chicago Bears. No matter how the top of the depth chart shakes out over the course of the week, rookie QB Will Howard is poised to get increased reps in practice. Speaking to reporters Tuesday, Tomlin didn’t rule out Howard getting some first-team reps during the week.
“We’ll see. We’ll see where the week goes. ” Tomlin said via the team’s YouTube channel.
There’s no indication that Howard would start if Rodgers isn’t able to play due to his fractured wrist. But Rodgers will not practice Wednesday and Mike Tomlin indicated he won’t be truly evaluated until Friday. That gives Howard at least two practices, Wednesday and Thursday, to see elevated work.
“He’s been with us the whole time,” Tomlin said of Howard. “He’s a sharp guy. Like the general trajectory of his work. Certainly, the position that he’s in doesn’t get a lot of quote-unquote Steelers’ reps. But the reps he does get, he is taking advantage of. I’m sure there will be an uptick in those opportunities this week.”
Returning to practice earlier this month, Howard had run third-string and primarily worked on the scout team. Now, Howard has a chance to do more than run the card-team defense, though those reps often come at the benefit of facing the Steelers’ first-team defense.
If Rodgers can’t play and Rudolph starts, Howard will serve as the No. 2 and be one snap away from making his NFL debut. If so, it would be the first time he’s ever played in a stadium for the Steelers. Howard missed all three preseason games after breaking a bone on his throwing hand during training camp. Getting at least a handful of first-team reps would have him more prepared should he be called upon this weekend.
The Bears have an aggressive defense playing improved football. While the unit is 26th in points per game allowed, the defense has forced a league-high 22 takeaways.
Howard has spent the first half of the season watching and learning while keeping notes on virtually everything Rodgers has told him. Sunday, he could be a snap away from taking the field and helping lead the Steelers to victory.
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