Rookie quarterback Will Howard’s promising start to life with the Pittsburgh Steelers has hit a roadblock, with the young signal-caller suffering a fractured hand in training that will rule him out for at least three weeks.
Howard, who was expected to feature heavily during the Steelers’ preseason campaign, now faces a frustrating spell on the sidelines. The injury has dashed any immediate hopes of making an impression under center in what was set to be a crucial developmental period.
Rodgers Reacts: “It sucks for him, for sure”
Veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers didn’t hold back when asked about Howard’s untimely setback.
“It sucks. Sucks for him for sure because he’s had such a nice camp as a young player,” Rodgers told ESPN’s Brooke Pryor. “This year is a growth year for him.”
Rodgers had been keeping a close eye on the 23-year-old during training camp, praising his command of the offense during minicamp and offseason workouts.
Fracture Rules Howard Out of Preseason
Howard suffered a fracture in his throwing hand during a recent practice session. While the injury isn’t expected to require surgery, it’s likely to rule him out for the entire preseason, including games where he was expected to log significant snaps.
With Rodgers likely to be rested until the regular season, Howard had been in line for a starring role in the warm-up fixtures, particularly the preseason opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Rodgers Commits to Mentoring Howard
Despite the setback, Rodgers has reaffirmed his role as a mentor to Howard. Speaking on The Pat McAfee Show earlier this year, the four-time MVP said:
“I want to help Will Howard as much as possible. If I can help him become a better player, that would be an incredible achievement. He’s such a good kid, and I’m really looking forward to helping him this season.”
Now, that mentorship will likely shift off the field as Howard focuses on recovery and film work.
Howard’s Long-Term Role Still in Focus
Howard’s preseason injury doesn’t drastically change the Steelers’ depth chart—he was already the third-choice QB behind Mason Rudolph and Rodgers. However, with Rodgers expected to retire at the end of the 2025 season, Howard is still considered a potential long-term option.
The rookie has impressed Steelers staff during camp, and his growth behind the scenes could still play a vital role in how Pittsburgh approaches their quarterback future post-Rodgers.
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