Pittsburgh Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers’ status remains “uncertain” for Sunday’s Week 12 matchup with the Chicago Bears, according to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini in her weekly insider column.
“Aaron Rodgers does not want to miss a chance to face the team he once claimed he owned, the Chicago Bears. As of Saturday morning, his availability for Sunday’s game in the Windy City remained uncertain,” Russini wrote.
Rodgers fractured a bone in his left wrist late in the first half during the Steelers’ Week 11 win over the Cincinnati Bengals, and despite trying to come back in the game, was replaced by Mason Rudolph for the second half. Rodgers logged a limited practice on Thursday and Friday after missing Wednesday’s practice, sporting a brace, and per NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero, Rodgers “100%” wants to play against the Bears.
Of course, the final decision will come down to the team’s medical staff. Rodgers may feel good enough to play, but even with the brace, he could be risking further injury to his wrist if he lands on it. If he suffers a displaced fracture, it’s an injury that could knock him out for multiple weeks, potentially derailing the Steelers’ playoff hopes and what is potentially Rodgers’ final season.
If Rodgers can’t go, the Steelers would again turn to Rudolph, while Will Howard, who suited up as the emergency third quarterback in Week 11, would likely dress as the backup. Rudolph played well in relief of Rodgers, leading two scoring drives and throwing for 127 yards and a touchdown. It would be his first start of the season, though Rudolph has plenty of starting experience. He started five games with the Tennessee Titans last season and, before that, had 14 starts with Pittsburgh, including in the 2023 AFC Wild Card game.
The decision on whether or not Rodgers is healthy enough to play may come down to tomorrow morning. He’ll likely warm up on the field ahead of the game, and how he feels then could be the deciding factor unless the medical staff puts the kibosh on Rodgers playing beforehand. Mike Tomlin and Will Howard both lauded Rodgers’ level of pain tolerance, and it sounds as if Rodgers wants to be out there on Sunday.
The Steelers are looking to keep their lead in the AFC North against one of Rodgers’ former foes in the Bears, a team he’s had plenty of success against, going 15-2 in his last 17 matchups. He’ll want to extend that mark tomorrow, but it remains a question of whether or not he’ll be cleared to go.