Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers will not play on Sunday and Mason Rudolph will start against the Chicago Bears, head coach Mike Tomlin announced.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter noted on Saturday that Rodgers was “pushing to play” despite being listed as questionable due to his left wrist injury:
Rodgers previously told the media that he and the Steelers were “working through” which kind of wrist brace he will be wearing when he rejoins the team.
The Steelers quarterback exited the first half of last Sunday’s Week 11 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals with his wrist injury. Rudolph played the second half to close out the 34-12 win.
Schefter reported last Sunday the Steelers were concerned Rodgers had suffered “a slight break” in his left wrist.
Tomlin confirmed on Monday that Rodgers had a fracture in his wrist, but said the injury would not require surgery.
“Really, it’s just about bracing it and securing it for his comfort and safety, and then it’s about how functional he is,” Tomlin told reporters.
Tomlin added that determining Rodgers’ availability moving forward would hinge at least in part on whether he can protect himself or brace himself against a potential fall.
Rodgers started the first 10 games of the 2025 season for the Steelers, throwing for 1,969 yards with 19 touchdowns and seven interceptions to lead his team to a 6-4 record over that span.
The veteran quarterback’s injury came at a crucial part of the season for Pittsburgh. The grip the Steelers (6-4) have on the top of the AFC North is in jeopardy now that the Baltimore Ravens (5-5) are riding a four-game win streak into Week 12.
The Steelers’ upcoming matchups with the Ravens in Weeks 14 and 18 could determine whether either team finishes the season at the top of the division. Pittsburgh will need to turn to Rudolph until Rodgers is available to return.
