Rookie quarterback Will Howard, who is currently on the Reserve/Injured List, hasn’t played a snap for the team in the preseason or regular season after suffering a hand injury in training camp.
It hasn’t been an easy way for a rookie to start his NFL career, but he’s handled it like a true pro.
“Will has handled the injury like a professional, just as we would expect him to,” said quarterbacks coach Tom Arth. “I’m really appreciative of our athletic training staff, our strength and conditioning staff. They’ve done a fantastic job working with Will and helping him get back. The strength and conditioning from a lifting standpoint, running standpoint, also doing just drill work with him. They’ve really kept him up to speed.
“He’s in great shape right now, and he’s in as good a shape as he’s been since he’s been a Pittsburgh Steeler and he has been doing everything that he can.
“It was disappointing, but that’s football and that’s just sometimes the way it goes. Sure, we would have loved to have seen him play and compete. He had a great training camp, great off season and we expected him to go into the preseason and perform very well. And it was disappointing that we didn’t get a chance to see that come to fruition.
“But he’s maximized this time that he’s had. I think he’s continued to improve physically and mentally, so whenever he’s available and if he’s able to come back and practice at any point, I’m sure he’ll be ready to go.”
Despite not getting on the field, though, he has contributed in ways that are hard to measure.
Howard has been a constant in meetings, at practice and games, providing help for quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the offense.
“From a mental standpoint, he’s been doing some special projects for Aaron,” said Arth. “He’s been really locked in mentally to our plan, really locked into our opponent, has been able to help Aaron out in some really great ways and he been able to help our coaching staff. So, he’s done a nice job.”
While Howard has done what he can to help Rodgers and the offense, Rodgers in turn has been a source of every bit of information he needs.
The veteran quarterback has taken the rookie under his wing, showing him the tricks of the trade and being an open book.
“Will sits right next to him in our meeting room,” said Arth. “He stands as close to him as he can at practice every single day. He just soaks it all in and Aaron’s been awesome in that regard as well. He’s just been so open with Will and with all the quarterbacks honestly, in terms of sharing some small little details of what he does. Just some of the shortcuts and tricks that he’s picked up throughout the years that have helped him, and I just think it’s been awesome for all of us.”