With rookie Will Howard injured, will Aaron Rodgers make his Steelers preseason debut vs. the Jaguars? Get the latest on the 2024 QB situation for August 7.
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
Just when you thought Steelers training camp couldn't get more interesting, the quarterback room was thrown a curveball. A hand injury has officially sidelined rookie Will Howard for the entire preseason, and in his place, future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers has declared he's open to making his black and gold debut in the preseason opener against Jacksonville. The buzz in Latrobe is palpable as fans might get their first glimpse of #8 under center sooner than anyone expected.
'What (Latrobe) offers is the opportunity to hang out with the guys every night... I’m loving every second.'
The news of Will Howard's hand injury, sustained after hitting a helmet in practice, is a tough blow for the promising rookie. Aaron Rodgers himself called this a 'growth year' for Howard, who had been impressing in camp. But one man's setback is another's opportunity. Rodgers told reporters he's willing to suit up against the Jaguars if Coach Tomlin gives the nod, a significant statement from a 41-year-old veteran who typically rests during the preseason. This development reshuffles the deck, with Mason Rudolph and Skylar Thompson now set to handle a larger share of the snaps. It's a chance for Rodgers to test drive Arthur Smith's offense—which he praised as highly collaborative—in a live-game setting.
While the QB situation is in flux, the connection between Rodgers and another rookie is solidifying. Wide receiver Roman Wilson has been the talk of camp, developing an undeniable chemistry with the veteran QB and showing marked improvement daily. That's what made his placement as WR5 on the team's first official depth chart so surprising. While depth charts this early are written in pencil, it shows the rookie still has work to do to climb past the likes of George Pickens, Van Jefferson, Quez Watkins, and Calvin Austin III. Speaking of Austin, he missed Thursday's practice, giving speedster Scotty Miller valuable first-team reps and a chance to make his own case.
The offense isn't having all the fun. On the defensive side, second-year studs Joey Porter Jr. and Nick Herbig continue to look like disruptive forces, consistently making plays in practice. Their development is a critical storyline for a defense looking to maintain its elite status. Meanwhile, the front office is making the tough decisions that define training camp. The team officially placed defensive lineman Dean Lowry on Injured Reserve, ending his season, and signed veteran DL Breiden Fehoko to fill the gap. These moves, coupled with the release of the depth chart, signal that the evaluation period is ramping up as the team trims the fat and solidifies its 53-man roster.
With the first preseason game just around the corner, all eyes will be on the quarterback rotation against Jacksonville. Will Rodgers play? How will Rudolph and Thompson look with increased reps? And can Roman Wilson's on-field production force a change on the depth chart? The storylines are heating up in Latrobe, and the first real test is about to begin.
