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.