Lead
The Pittsburgh Steelers opened Week 12 preparations Wednesday, November 19, ahead of Sunday’s game at Soldier Field against the Chicago Bears, with the injury report dominating conversations in Pittsburgh. The primary concern is quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who did not practice after sustaining a left wrist fracture in Sunday’s win over the Cincinnati Bengals. Coach Mike Tomlin confirmed the fracture does not require surgery and described availability as dependent on bracing, functionality and pain tolerance. With Rodgers’ status undecided, backups Mason Rudolph and Will Howard are receiving extra work while the team evaluates Rodgers through the week.
Key Takeaways
- Aaron Rodgers (left wrist) did not practice Wednesday, November 19; fracture confirmed and surgery not required.
- Rodgers reported he felt better than on Sunday and hoped to attempt work on Thursday; final clearance required to play Sunday.
- Coach Mike Tomlin said Friday will be pivotal for clarity and emphasized bracing, safety and functional effectiveness.
- Running back Jaylen Warren (ankle) did not practice Wednesday but is considered likely to be included on Sunday, per Tomlin.
- Several key players were rested or limited: T.J. Watt, Cameron Heyward and Jonnu Smith were on NIR/rest and did not practice; Isaac Seumalo and others were limited.
- Bears reported multiple non-practice and limited participants including Jaquan Brisker, Tremaine Edmunds and Jaylon Johnson (in 21-day IR-return window).
- Coaching staff said weekly game-planning routinely accounts for preparing both a starter and a backup with targeted packages for differing skill sets.
Background
The Steelers defeated the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, during which Rodgers sustained a left wrist fracture in the first half that forced him from the game and sidelined him for the second half. Pittsburgh’s medical staff evaluated the injury and determined it did not require surgical repair; the team’s approach centers on protective bracing and assessing functional capability. Rodgers is a veteran with a playing profile that staff believe can reduce the need for extensive physical preparation to return, which factors into the team’s week-to-week readiness planning.
Mike Tomlin has repeatedly emphasized readiness across the roster, pointing to the need for multiple players to be prepared for elevated roles if starters are unavailable. That philosophy has guided the Steelers through 10 games this season as they balanced schemes around primary starters while giving backups comfortable, repeatable elements of the plan. The Bears enter the matchup with their own string of injuries and limited participants, complicating scouting and game-plan contingencies for both sides.
Main Event
On Wednesday, November 19, the Steelers listed Rodgers as DNP (did not practice) while confirming the wrist fracture and the absence of surgical requirement. Rodgers told reporters he felt improved compared with Sunday and that he had done rehabilitation work on Wednesday; he said he hoped to test his readiness on Thursday. Tomlin said the team will look at Rodgers later in the week and highlighted Friday as a critical day for assessing protection, bracing and effectiveness.
With Rodgers’ status unresolved, Mason Rudolph and Will Howard were given expanded reps in Wednesday’s session to simulate game responsibilities. Tomlin described a regular process of preparing a starter and a potential backup with tailored schematic elements for each quarterback’s strengths, noting this is not new operationally even if it is the first week both are prepared to operate in-game under Rodgers’ recent arrival.
Other roster notes from Wednesday’s practice included Jaylen Warren listed as DNP with an ankle issue; Tomlin said Warren was cleared during the Bengals game but that Kenneth Gainwell earned snaps by performance. Several defensive and offensive veterans—T.J. Watt, Cameron Heyward and Jonnu Smith—were on NIR (rest) and did not practice, while Isaac Seumalo was limited with a pectoral issue. Those absences shape personnel packages and rotation planning heading into Sunday.
Analysis & Implications
Rodgers’ left wrist fracture, while not requiring surgery, introduces several decision points for the Steelers: protection schemes, snap handling, passing accuracy under contact, and willingness to risk further injury. The team’s medical and coaching staff must balance short-term competitive value against long-term player safety; bracing can mitigate risk but may alter throwing mechanics, timing and mobility. Rodgers’ veteran instincts and previous experience may reduce practice volume needed to be operational, yet game intensity remains a variable that only a live-game environment can fully test.
From a play-calling standpoint, a limited Rodgers presence would likely push Pittsburgh toward quicker-release passing concepts, increased reliance on the run game and scripted early-down sequences designed to reduce contested arm extension. If Rudolph or Howard starts, the staff can pivot to packages built in during the week that emphasize each player’s strengths while simplifying pre-snap reads. The coaches’ week-to-week preparation model—where backups receive predictable, comfortable elements—reduces the operational disruption a late quarterback change might cause.
Special teams and offensive line continuity will become more critical if Rodgers is limited. Bracing and protective adjustments can influence handoffs, QB slides and scrambling decisions, meaning the Steelers may ask more of their run game and play-action schemes to create high-percentage throws. Defensively, Pittsburgh must account for Bears players listed limited or on IR-return windows, adjusting coverage and rush plans to personnel changes in Chicago’s secondary and linebacker groups.
Comparison & Data
| Team | DNP | Limited | Full | NIR/Rest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steelers (Wed 11/19) | 6 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| Bears (Wed 11/19) | 7 | 8 | 0 | 1 |
The table above summarizes Wednesday’s participation tallies: Pittsburgh listed six players as DNP (including Rodgers), two limited and two full participants, plus three on NIR/rest. Chicago’s report showed seven DNPs and eight limited participants, reflecting broader day-of-game uncertainty. These counts help illustrate how each side may have to plan for missing personnel and which position groups require contingency packages.
Reactions & Quotes
Coach Mike Tomlin addressed the situation during the Wednesday practice session, outlining the variables the staff will consider.
“Aaron has a fracture in his wrist. It does not require surgery.”
Coach Mike Tomlin
Tomlin added that the immediate focus is on bracing and safety, followed by functional capability and effectiveness; he noted Friday could provide substantial clarity. He also emphasized preparing Mason Rudolph and Will Howard so the offense can operate regardless of which quarterback starts.
Rodgers spoke briefly about his condition after practice, indicating optimism tempered by the need for medical clearance.
“Got to get the okay. Got to feel like I can protect myself.”
Aaron Rodgers
Rodgers said he felt better than he did on Sunday and that he planned rehab work to try to return to the field later in the week, underscoring that final availability depends on how he responds to treatment and bracing.
Unconfirmed
- Whether Aaron Rodgers will be cleared to play on Sunday remains unconfirmed pending evaluations later in the week and Friday’s practice assessment.
- Any specific snap count or play restrictions for Rodgers (if active) have not been released and remain unconfirmed.
- Final decisions about Jaylen Warren’s role and expected touches for Sunday are not officially confirmed and could change based on practice availability.
Bottom Line
The Week 12 report centers on Aaron Rodgers’ left wrist fracture, which does not require surgery but leaves his availability for Sunday at Soldier Field uncertain. Pittsburgh is managing the situation through protective bracing, targeted rehab and day-to-day functional assessments while preparing both Mason Rudolph and Will Howard to step in if needed. Other roster absences and rest designations—particularly on defense and at tight end—will shape rotation decisions and play-calling regardless of the quarterback outcome.
Fans and analysts should watch practices later in the week, with Friday expected to offer the clearest picture of Rodgers’ readiness. The Steelers have structured weekly plans to minimize disruption when starters miss time, but the final game-day plan will depend on medical clearance and how the coaching staff balances short-term competitiveness with player safety.
Sources
- Steelers.com (Official team report/interview)
- Steelers.com Injury & Roster Notes (Official team/medical updates)