The door is open for the Pittsburgh Steelers to have quarterback Aaron Rodgers against the Chicago Bears, head coach Mike Tomlin said. Rodgers has a fracture in his wrist but it does not require surgery. He is not expected to practice on Wednesday, but will likely be out on the field later in the week.
Tomlin says that Rodgers has to meet three criteria to play. First, the team has to stabilize the wrist and make sure he is not at risk for injuring himself if he falls on it in a game. Second, he has to check the box off for pain tolerance. Tomlin does not think that second one will an issue, as Rodgers pushed to return to the game on Sunday against the Bengals. Lastly, Rodgers has to be functional and be able to catch snaps from the shotgun and take under center snaps.
“We don’t have the answers to (his functionality) as we stand here today, but certainly I would imagine we’re gonna get some clarity as we push through the week. I think his experience really kinda aids in that. He’s the type of guy and has the type of profile that doesn’t require a lot of physical work in an effort to be ready to play, and that’s helpful,” Tomlin said.
To start the week, the Steelers will give Mason Rudolph and Will Howard the bulk of the reps and form a plan around them. Rodgers is expected to participate in team periods later in the week.
The injury occurred when Rodgers was nearly sacked on a second down before the half ended. He threw up a ball for Kenneth Gainwell, but two defenders landed on him. As he landed on the ground, Rodgers’ left hand appeared bloodied.
On top of that, Rodgers landed on his outstretched hand and suffered the injury to his wrist. Given it is his non-throwing hand, that could expedite a return to play, but players were told coming out of halftime that Mason Rudolph would takeover for Rodgers moving forward.
Rudolph played well in relief of Rodgers, completing 12 of 16 passes for 126 yards and a touchdown. The Steelers travel to Chicago to face a red hot Bears team that is looking to continue their winning ways after a 19-17 win over the Minnesota Vikings.
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