The Pittsburgh Steelers face significant quarterback uncertainty as veteran signal-caller Aaron Rodgers has been officially designated as questionable for Sunday's crucial matchup against the Chicago Bears. The future Hall of Famer, now sporting the black and gold after previous tenures with the Green Bay Packers and New York Jets, might miss his opportunity to return to Soldier Field due to a persistent wrist problem.
Rodgers' Injury Status and Game Impact
As the Steelers, holding a 6-4 record, gear up to confront the surging Bears, who stand at 7-3, all attention focuses on Rodgers' left wrist fracture and his potential availability for Week 12. The quarterback departed last week's contest against the Cincinnati Bengals during the second half, forcing backup Mason Rudolph to take command. While Pittsburgh secured a convincing 34-12 victory that maintained their position in the competitive AFC North race, the triumph arrived with concerning consequences for their starting quarterback.
Rodgers sustained a fracture in his non-throwing left wrist during the physical encounter with the Bengals. Team medical staff confirmed that the injury doesn't require surgical intervention, but the primary concern involves protection and functional capability rather than mere pain management. Medical experts emphasize that playing with such an injury risks aggravating the condition, potentially resulting in extended absence during the critical latter part of the season.
Practice Participation and Medical Decision
The quarterback's practice schedule revealed a cautious approach throughout the week. Rodgers completely missed Wednesday's session but made limited appearances during Thursday and Friday practices. His official "questionable" designation on the final injury report maintains optimism within the Steelers organization about his potential availability against their NFC North opponents.
Head coach Mike Tomlin addressed the media on Friday, stating, "I thought I saw a solid effort, but it's Friday, so we still got some time... We'll see where the weekend leads us." Tomlin clarified that the ultimate decision will hinge on medical evaluation, specifically assessing whether Rodgers can adequately protect his injured wrist during live game action against the aggressive Bears defense.
Steelers Quarterback Depth Chart Options
Should Rodgers be unavailable, the Steelers will confidently turn to experienced backup Mason Rudolph, who demonstrated impressive form during relief duty last week. Rudolph completed 12 of 16 passes for 127 yards, recording one touchdown pass and achieving an exceptional 118.5 passer rating against the Bengals.
The quarterback depth continues with rookie Will Howard, a sixth-round selection from Ohio State who famously led his team to the 2025 national championship. Howard has yet to make his regular-season debut but provides developmental potential. Additionally, four-year veteran Skylar Thompson remains on injured reserve with an unclear return timetable, giving Pittsburgh multiple options despite their starter's uncertain status.
Despite battling various physical challenges including previous Achilles concerns, Rodgers has maintained his trademark composure this season, accumulating 1,969 passing yards with 19 touchdowns against only seven interceptions. His potential absence would significantly impact Pittsburgh's offensive strategy as they face a critical juncture in their playoff pursuit.
