The Pittsburgh Steelers will be trying to win on the road against the Chicago Bears for just the second time in their history Sunday. The Steelers will be aiming to do that without quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin told CBS Sports’ Evan Washburn on Saturday morning Mason Rudolph will start behind center.
“He’s not going to play today,” Tomlin told Washburn of Rodgers. “He fought his tail off all week, but that’s the prudent play to make as a collective. So he won’t be playing this week.
“We’ll let Mason start, and obviously, he’s absorbed most of the reps this week.”
Rodgers entered Sunday questionable because of a fracture in his left wrist. The 41-year-old quarterback sustained the injury late in the second quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals on November 16.
Rudolph played the entire second half while Rodgers didn’t return. Rudolph completed 12 of 16 passes for 127 yards with a touchdown in Rodgers’ absence.
Steelers’ Aaron Rodgers in ‘Good Spirits’ Before Week 12
While Rodgers won’t play Sunday, he was on the field well before pregame warmups. ESPN’s Dan Graziano reported Rodgers took a lap around Soldier Field, where he has experienced a ton of success in his career.
During that lap, Rodgers “flipped off” a couple cameras, notably with his right hand.
Steelers Depot’s Alex Kozora described the quarterback as in “good spirits.” That was before Tomlin told CBS Sports that Rodgers wouldn’t play. Although a little unprofessional, it might not be the worst long-term sign for the Steelers that Rodgers was his typical self to the cameras.
Including last week, Rodgers has led the Steelers to a 6-4 record this season. He has completed 66.4% of his passes while averaging 6.8 yards per attempt. Rodgers also has 19 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
Rudolph is 3-0 in his last three Steelers starts. All of those games came late in the 2023 NFL season. Rudolph was stellar, completing 74.6% of his passes for 10.1 yards per attempt with three touchdowns and zero interceptions.
The 30-year-old is 8-4-1 in his career as a starter for the Steelers. With the Tennessee Titans last year, Rudolph posted a 1-4 record.
In his last start of 2024 with Tennessee, Rudolph completed 19 of 31 passes for 193 yards with a touchdown and interception.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Will Howard will serve as Rudolph’s backup versus the Bears. This will be the first time the rookie quarterback is included on the active roster on game day in his career.
However, Rodgers will be available in some capacity. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac reported Rodgers will be the emergency No. 3 quarterback for Week 12.
Edge Rusher Alex Highsmith Also to Miss Week 12
Although Rodgers could play if Rudolph and Howard both suffer injuries, Rodgers was one of five players the Steelers included on their inactive list for the Bears matchup.
Starting edge rusher Alex Highsmith was the other notable inactive player.
Highsmith, who has already missed three games this season, will be sidelined with a pectoral injury. The edge rusher entered Sunday doubtful to play.
In seven games, Highsmith has posted 5.5 sacks, six tackles for loss, 10 quarterback hits, and one pass defense this season.
The Steelers also included guard Andrus Peat, defensive tackle Brodric Martin-Rhodes and defensive lineman Logan Lee on their Week 12 inactive list.
Entering Sunday, the Steelers are 1-12 in Chicago throughout their entire history. Pittsburgh’s only win at Soldier Field came in overtime during the 1995 campaign.
Steelers Make Final Week 12 Call on QB Aaron Rodgers