Mandy
There is early concern that Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has “a slight fracture” in his left, non-throwing wrist, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Rodgers is scheduled to undergo additional tests on Monday to determine the severity of the injury and how long he may be out, according to league sources.
Rodgers did not return to Sunday’s 34–12 win over the Cincinnati Bengals after injuring his left wrist late in the second quarter.
He was initially ruled to have a hand injury, but Steelers coach Mike Tomlin later clarified that it was Rodgers’ wrist. Tomlin added that Rodgers will undergo further evaluation Monday morning and said he spoke with the veteran quarterback after the game.
“He was excited about the win,” Tomlin said. “That’s all we talked about — not the injury, just the importance of the victory.”
Rodgers landed on his left wrist and hand when he was tackled after throwing the ball away on second-and-goal just before halftime. He stayed in for one more play after a timeout, but his hand appeared bloody as he came off the field for Chris Boswell’s 25-yard field goal. Backup quarterback Mason Rudolph said Rodgers told him during halftime that he would start the second half.
“I saw what you saw — he went down a bit gingerly — but I didn’t know the severity,” Rudolph said. “We talked at halftime, and he just pointed with his index finger and said, ‘You’re going in.’”
Although the Steelers listed Rodgers as questionable to return, he did not appear on the sideline after the break. Tomlin said he wasn’t sure whether the 41-year-old could have reentered.
“I don’t have that answer yet,” Tomlin said. “I’ll know more next time we speak.”
Rudolph played the entire second half, leading two scoring drives. He finished 12-of-16 for 127 yards and a touchdown — a 5-yard pass to Kenneth Gainwell in the fourth quarter.
“Mason showed what he’s shown before,” Tomlin said. “He’s a valuable part of this group, and Kenny Gainwell made plays all day, as did many others.”
Aside from the final kneeldown, the Steelers had only two second-half drives with Rudolph, lasting 15 and 12 plays. Before he entered, Pittsburgh had produced two nine-play drives and another that went eight plays.
“We’re very comfortable with Mason,” receiver Calvin Austin III said. “We worked with him throughout OTAs. He came in and did exactly what we expect — spread the ball around and dice up the defense.”
Austin also voiced confidence in Rudolph — who started three games late in 2023 — if Rodgers misses time.
“Full confidence,” Austin said. “He’s talented, he believes in himself, and that’s what you want from your quarterback.”
The Steelers’ injury issues continued early in the third quarter when running back Jaylen Warren hurt his ankle. He walked off with medical staff and entered the blue tent. Warren had 62 yards on 10 carries and two receptions for 5 yards.
He later returned to the sideline with his helmet on and was ruled questionable, but after the Steelers took a timeout on a second-and-3 at Cincinnati’s 12-yard line, he did not reenter. After the game, Warren said the team was simply being cautious about what he called a “tweak.”
“With a lot of games ahead, they were just looking out for me,” Warren said.