Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin spoke with reporters on November 28, and he confirmed that Aaron Rodgers will return from injury in Week 13 against the Buffalo Bills.
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reporter Chris Adamski shared a video of Tomlin, who stated that Rodgers will have no injury designation for the game and will be “all systems go” this weekend.
Not long after, the team revealed that Rodgers isn’t the only Steelers player who’s returning against the Bills. Pittsburgh also cleared star wide receiver DK Metcalf, edge rusher Alex Highsmith, defensive lineman Cameron Heyward, cornerback Joey Porter Jr., guard Isaac Seumalo, and wide receiver Ben Skowronek for Week 13.
In fact, the only two players who were ruled out were the two who have been “out” all week. Left tackle Broderick Jones will not play due to a neck injury, and first-round defensive lineman Derrick Harmon won’t suit up either because of a knee injury.
Outside of those two, the Steelers will have everyone on the active roster available to them versus Buffalo.
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As for Jones’ absence, Tomlin did share the plan to replace his left tackle.
According to ESPN beat reporter Brooke Pryor, “Andrus Peat will start at left tackle” for the Steelers against the Bills.
Peat signed with Pittsburgh in August as a late-season addition. He brings a wealth of experience with him, having started 104 regular season games, most of which came with the New Orleans Saints.
Peat is a three-time Pro Bowl left guard, but he’s a versatile blocker who can also play some offensive tackle. The Steelers will be counting on that experience and versatility this weekend, especially with a banged-up Rodgers behind him.
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Outside of Jones, the Steelers will have their entire offense, and they’ll need all hands on deck to beat a team like the Bills.
Rodgers will lead the way, but having Metcalf and a healthy Jaylen Warren is important, too. Pittsburgh has been missing some pieces in recent weeks, and although backups like Mason Rudolph and Kenneth Gainwell have made key contributions, they’re still at their best with their full complement of starters.
Fans witnessed that last week, as Rudolph struggled to put points on the board against a tough Chicago Bears defense.
Needless to say, Buffalo’s defense presents another big challenge. And this is a pivotal matchup when you look at the AFC playoff picture.
The Steelers are probably more focused on winning the AFC North rather than the wildcard race, but you never know what’s going to happen, so having a wildcard seed as an insurance policy is never a bad idea.
Unfortunately, with the way the AFC North race is playing out, the wildcard teams may have a stronger record than the Steelers, Baltimore Ravens, and Cincinnati Bengals. In that scenario, only the division winner would get in.
That’s why a victory over the Bills is so important. It would tie up the Steelers’ record with Buffalo, while also awarding them the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Bills, in the event that they need it.
Games like this one will define the remainder of the Steelers’ 2025 season.
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