NOVEMBER 30: While Rodgers is indeed playing in Week 13, he is doing so with at least three fractures in his wrist, per Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. One of those is a more significant break that can only occur as a result of considerable force.
As Rapoport adds, howerver, since Rodgers’ bones are fractured but are not displaced, and since he is able to tolerate the pain, he can play. His willingness to do so has reportedly increased the respect the locker room has for him.
NOVEMBER 28: Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin announced (via ESPN’s Brooke Pryor) that quarterback Aaron Rodgers will return from a one-game absence and start on Sunday against the Bills.
“Full participant today, no injury designation Sunday. All systems go,” Tomlin said.
Rodgers went down in the Steelers’ Week 11 win over the Bengals with a fracture in his left (non-throwing) wrist. He was hoping to suit up in Week 12, but ultimately sat out to avoid further damage to his wrist. Mason Rudolph got the start instead and could not get the win over the Bears. A strong Pittsburgh running game racked up 186 yards and two touchdowns on the ground, but Rudolph only passed for 171 yards despite completing 24 of his 31 passes. To be fair to Rudolph, the Steelers defense allowed 31 points, but they also produced a score of their own, so the offense was only responsible for 21 of the team’s 28 points.
The Steelers will hope that Rodgers’ return will help them against the Bills’ top-ranked pass defense. Buffalo has allowed just 168.2 passing yards per game this year, the lowest in the league, though they have struggled against the run. Between Rodgers’ injury and a Steelers offense that has been stronger on the ground, they may lean on their rushing attack on Sunday.
A win on Sunday would put Pittsburgh one game ahead of Baltimore in the AFC North after the Ravens’ loss to the Bengals on Thursday night. But a more severe injury to Rodgers’ wrist could put the rest of their season in jeopardy. The Bills have a 25.1% pressure rate, a 10.6% knockdown rate, and a 7.9% sack rate, all top 10 marks in the league, while the Steelers’ 21 sacks allowed are the ninth-fewest in the league. Their offensive line will need to continue their success on Sunday afternoon to keep Rodgers safe.
Rudolph is who we all thought he was: very good backup, can maybe win you a game or 2 as a temporary starter, but that’s his ceiling.
Rodgers had regressed a bit in the last few games, but there’s zero reason not to play him if he’s healthy. And frankly the offense’s poor game planning and lack of wide receiver depth is at least as much to blame for Rodgers’s scuffling as he is.
The WR capability is a huge problem. As Buffalo fans can attest, it’s really hard to stretch defenses when you don’t have multiple targets that can create separation. When your QB is 41 and not as mobile as he once was, it gets harder. No matter who starts, though, the Steelers’ receivers desperately need an upgrade.
Problem is, they don’t even try. They refuse to throw downfield. They refuse to throw over the middle. They have two very good tight ends they can’t get the ball to and they’ve been splitting Jonnu out on many occasions.
I agree with MonkeysUncle, that a big part of their problem is at QB. They seem to be limited.
But the real problem is a Stone Age OC and a bull-headed head coach who sets his mind on a plan and refuses to change. Last week, they rushed for something like 180 yards and they augmented that with short passes that went nowhere
I think Burrow is the best QB in the NFL but my thinking is that if he had to play under Smith and Tomlin, he’d want to jump off a building.
“Rudolph is who we all thought he was.”
Honestly, I wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between him and all the other reindeer if he didn’t have that shiny nose 🙂
Google: George Pickens has more receiving yards and touchdowns than all of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ wide receivers combined so far this season.
Pitt needs a new GM, HC and QB in the offseason.
They gave Pickens away for comparatively little, but in truthfulness they didn’t have much choice. Late for a game. Missing meetings. The constant temper tantrums on the sidelines. Apparently there was no one here to get into his head
But you’re right. I’d love to see Tomlin move on at the end of the season and both coordinators relieved on their duties.
I wouldn’t get rid of Khan, but I’m hoping the recent reports of a longtime HC wanting a change of scenery is Tomlin. Best case scenario, we could trade Tomlin (perfect scenario would be for the Giants top pick this year). But both sides need to move on. The message has gone stale and the standard has become average.
Everyone loves to cite that Tomlin has never had a losing season in 18 years, but he also has only won 8 playoff games in 18 years, and only 3 since 2010. It’s time for a change. The Pens realized it with Sullivan and have rebounded this year.
The Steelers have good draft capital to fix the skill positions after a few years of rebuilding the trenches. The obvious issue is QB, which is either going to take a losing season to get a higher pick or a massive trade. I’d call SF and see what they want for either Purdy or Jones but there are certainly other options as well.
HERE WE GO AGAIN A-ROD POINTING FIGERS AGAIN AT WR,s again, he got those big bulging eyes that looks like RALPH CRAMDEN. He might take the ball and go home.
He couldn’t wait to pass blame either. Rodgers is classy.