League insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero from NFL Network reported Tuesday that Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has a fracture in his left wrist. However, the Steelers are not ruling out Rodgers possibly playing against the Chicago Bears in Week 12.
Minutes later, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin confirmed both parts of that report.
“Aaron has got a fracture in his wrist. It does not require surgery,” Tomlin told reporters. “Really, it’s just about bracing it and securing it for his comfort and safety.
“Then, it’s about how functional he is. We don’t have the answers to that as we stand here today. But certainly, I would imagine, we will get some clarity as we push through the week.”
Besides functionality, Tomlin explained that pain tolerance and effectiveness will be the other two factors determining whether Rodgers plays Sunday.
Tomlin added that Rodgers will not practice Wednesday but could later in the week. In the meantime, the Steelers plan to work Mason Rudolph and perhaps rookie Will Howard with the first-team offense.
The Steelers head coach doesn’t anticipate any problems with the offense practicing with Rudolph and then perhaps switching back to Rodgers for the Week 12 matchup.
“It’s not anything to balance,” Tomlin told the media. “We’ve gone through nine or so games catering it to Aaron and his talents and gaining certain traction in terms of schematics and all the while, we’ve been gaining about what’s best for Mason.”
Rudolph played the entire second half in the 34-12 victory against the Cincinnati Bengals on November 16. Rudolph completed 12 of 16 passes for 127 yards with a touchdown.
Steelers Not Ruling Out Aaron Rodgers for Week 12
When faced with several follow-up questions about what it will take for Rodgers to return less than a week after fracturing his left wrist, Tomlin continued to reference his three things — functionality, pain tolerance and effectiveness.
Tomlin ruled out pain tolerance being an issue. The head coach confirmed reports that Rodgers wanted to return Sunday even after breaking his wrist.
Tomlin also suggested Rodgers’ veteran presence will be very helpful to his functionality.
“I think his experience really kinds of aid in that,” Tomlin said. “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.”
The Steelers head coach declined to answer if or how much Rodgers will have to practice in order to play. But Tomlin stated the plan is to practice with Rudolph and Howard and then potentially return to Rodgers behind center with the first-team offense late in the week.
Mike Tomlin Raves About QB Mason Rudolph
The Steelers have almost always valued experience at backup quarterback under Tomlin. That’s why the organization brought back Rudolph on a two-year contract this past offseason.
Rudolph showcased his importance to the team during his Week 11 relief appearance. Tomlin will have tremendous confidence at quarterback and in his offense if Rudolph has to start against the Bears.
“He’s proven over his time here that he’s capable of coming in and playing winning football for us, and that’s no small task,” Tomlin said. “When you prepare during the course of the week as a backup, you have a limited amount of reps. Usually, the guts of the plan are geared toward the specific talent of the starters.
“So, you may get some reps, but it might not be quote, unquote, plays that are perfectly in your wheelhouse. He’s always found a way to manage those challenges, to remain confident. For that confidence to ooze out of him and be a catalyst for a collective performance. We got that.”
Tomlin explained that the game plan won’t change all that much no matter who starts behind center for the Steelers in Week 12. However, the head coach said things within the game plan will change if Rudolph plays instead of Rodgers.
Rudolph owns a 9-8-1 record as an NFL starter in his career. But with the Steelers, he has an 8-4-1 mark, which includes three wins in his last three starts.
Mike Tomlin Details Aaron Rodgers Injury Update, Week 12 Plan with Mason Rudolph