Mike Tomlin confirmed reports yesterday that Aaron Rodgers’ injury would not require surgery. But it sounds like the outlook continues to trend more optimistic by the day. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport offered a quick update this morning on Good Morning Football.
“We’re gonna be watching Aaron Rodgers closely all week. Here’s the situation, and it’s certainly more positive right now than it was I would say 48 hours ago,” Rapoport said. “Tomlin said pain tolerance is not an issue. Really what it’s gonna be is, can they keep that wrist out of harm’s way? Is it stable enough? Can he grip a football? These are all the things that Rodgers is now dealing with. Not gonna practice today, but certainly could practice later in the week, and is pushing to play against his Bears.”
I don’t know if Rapoport meant to say his Bears (possessive), but it’s rather fitting given the level of dominance Rodgers has had over his longtime division rival throughout the years. Ben Roethlisberger was 26-3-1 against the Cleveland Browns in his career, which is the same territory as Rodgers-Bears. He holds a 25-5 lifetime record against them.
Even retired for a few years now, are you telling me you wouldn’t sign up right now for Roethlisberger to beat the Browns one last time? He takes digs at the Browns every chance he gets on his podcast. That’s the type of relationship Rodgers has with the Bears.
Over 30 meetings, Rodgers averages about 21 completions on 31 attempts for 240 yards, 2.1 TDs, and 0.4 INTs against the Bears. His last interception against them came all the way back in 2018, with just two interceptions thrown to the Bears since 2014 across 17 games.
“He knows that he has owned the Bears throughout his entire career,” Rapoport said. “The Bears are part of the motivating factor. If possible, Rodgers will play.”
The initial prognosis was a 50-50 chance for Rodgers to play. Adam Schefter was even leaning toward a slightly worse outlook with possible surgery and the assumption of at least some missed time. That talk is now out the door, and it’s starting to feel much more likely than not that Rodgers plays on Sunday.
Tomlin said Rodgers is pushing to play, and he told the media that he’s inclined to support that so long as he shows he can protect himself and be effective. And we all know Tomlin’s philosophy on veterans and practice time needed. The Steelers would be perfectly comfortable starting him even if he barely practices this week.
If you were pulling for a Mason Rudolph start in Chicago, I wouldn’t get your hopes up.
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