The Pittsburgh Steelers feel very good about the future of rookie quarterback Will Howard. When they selected him in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, the team felt that they might be getting their long-term replacement for Aaron Rodgers.
Even though Howard was a sixth-round pick, his talent is through the roof. There is a lot of work for him to do to reach the level that many believe he's capable of reaching, but the Steelers are very confident in his ability.
Unfortunately, he missed his first preseason due to a fractured pinkie finger. He was hoping to be able to get back on the field to start the regular season.
Howard has received a major update before Week 1. Sadly, it's not good news.
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On Thursday morning, Pittsburgh decided to place Howard on injured reserve. That means that the rookie signal caller will miss at least the first four games of the 2025 NFL season.
Last season in his last year playing college football, Howard made the decision to transfer from Kansas State to the Ohio State Buckeyes. It was the best decision he has ever made. Howard was able to lead Ohio State to a national championship win.
Due to his success, Howard vaulted up draft boards. He went from being a clear undrafted free agent to a sixth-round pick and a potential long-term starter for the Steelers.
Throughout the course of the 2024 college football season with the Buckeyes, Howard completed 73.1 percent of his pass attempts for 4,010 yards, 35 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. He also ran for 226 yards and seven more scores.
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With Howard out for the first four games, Pittsburgh will enter the 2025 season with Rodgers as its starter. Behind him, the Steelers will have Mason Rudolph and Skylar Thompson as the No. 2 and No. 3 quarterbacks.
Hopefully, the rookie quarterback is able to get back to full health as early as possible. He isn't expected to play this season, but the healthier he can get the more experience he can have throughout his first year.
Expect to hear more updates about Howard's health status over the next four weeks.
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