{"id":5405,"date":"2025-11-19T23:04:12","date_gmt":"2025-11-19T23:04:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/week-12-injury-steelers-bears\/"},"modified":"2025-11-19T23:04:12","modified_gmt":"2025-11-19T23:04:12","slug":"week-12-injury-steelers-bears","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/week-12-injury-steelers-bears\/","title":{"rendered":"Week 12 Injury Report (Bears) &#8211; Steelers.com"},"content":{"rendered":"<article>\n<h2>Lead<\/h2>\n<p>The Pittsburgh Steelers opened Week 12 preparations Wednesday, November 19, ahead of Sunday\u2019s 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\u2019s 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\u2019 status undecided, backups Mason Rudolph and Will Howard are receiving extra work while the team evaluates Rodgers through the week.<\/p>\n<h2>Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Aaron Rodgers (left wrist) did not practice Wednesday, November 19; fracture confirmed and surgery not required.<\/li>\n<li>Rodgers reported he felt better than on Sunday and hoped to attempt work on Thursday; final clearance required to play Sunday.<\/li>\n<li>Coach Mike Tomlin said Friday will be pivotal for clarity and emphasized bracing, safety and functional effectiveness.<\/li>\n<li>Running back Jaylen Warren (ankle) did not practice Wednesday but is considered likely to be included on Sunday, per Tomlin.<\/li>\n<li>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.<\/li>\n<li>Bears reported multiple non-practice and limited participants including Jaquan Brisker, Tremaine Edmunds and Jaylon Johnson (in 21-day IR-return window).<\/li>\n<li>Coaching staff said weekly game-planning routinely accounts for preparing both a starter and a backup with targeted packages for differing skill sets.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Background<\/h2>\n<p>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\u2019s medical staff evaluated the injury and determined it did not require surgical repair; the team\u2019s 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\u2019s week-to-week readiness planning.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<h2>Main Event<\/h2>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>With Rodgers\u2019 status unresolved, Mason Rudolph and Will Howard were given expanded reps in Wednesday\u2019s 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\u2019s strengths, noting this is not new operationally even if it is the first week both are prepared to operate in-game under Rodgers\u2019 recent arrival.<\/p>\n<p>Other roster notes from Wednesday\u2019s 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\u2014T.J. Watt, Cameron Heyward and Jonnu Smith\u2014were 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.<\/p>\n<h2>Analysis &#038; Implications<\/h2>\n<p>Rodgers\u2019 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\u2019s 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\u2019 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.<\/p>\n<p>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\u2019s strengths while simplifying pre-snap reads. The coaches\u2019 week-to-week preparation model\u2014where backups receive predictable, comfortable elements\u2014reduces the operational disruption a late quarterback change might cause.<\/p>\n<p>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\u2019s secondary and linebacker groups.<\/p>\n<h2>Comparison &#038; Data<\/h2>\n<figure>\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Team<\/th>\n<th>DNP<\/th>\n<th>Limited<\/th>\n<th>Full<\/th>\n<th>NIR\/Rest<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Steelers (Wed 11\/19)<\/td>\n<td>6<\/td>\n<td>2<\/td>\n<td>2<\/td>\n<td>3<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Bears (Wed 11\/19)<\/td>\n<td>7<\/td>\n<td>8<\/td>\n<td>0<\/td>\n<td>1<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n<p>The table above summarizes Wednesday\u2019s participation tallies: Pittsburgh listed six players as DNP (including Rodgers), two limited and two full participants, plus three on NIR\/rest. Chicago\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n<h2>Reactions &#038; Quotes<\/h2>\n<p>Coach Mike Tomlin addressed the situation during the Wednesday practice session, outlining the variables the staff will consider.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>&#8220;Aaron has a fracture in his wrist. It does not require surgery.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><cite>Coach Mike Tomlin<\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>Rodgers spoke briefly about his condition after practice, indicating optimism tempered by the need for medical clearance.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>&#8220;Got to get the okay. Got to feel like I can protect myself.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><cite>Aaron Rodgers<\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<details>\n<summary>Explainer: NIR, DNP, Limited<\/summary>\n<p>NIR (Not Injury Related)\/Rest is a designation used when a veteran or key player is withheld from practice for load management rather than a new injury. DNP means the player did not participate in practice that day. Limited indicates participation in a portion of practice, often with restrictions on contact or reps. Teams use these designations to communicate availability while protecting medical details and strategic information.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<\/aside>\n<h2>Unconfirmed<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Whether Aaron Rodgers will be cleared to play on Sunday remains unconfirmed pending evaluations later in the week and Friday\u2019s practice assessment.<\/li>\n<li>Any specific snap count or play restrictions for Rodgers (if active) have not been released and remain unconfirmed.<\/li>\n<li>Final decisions about Jaylen Warren\u2019s role and expected touches for Sunday are not officially confirmed and could change based on practice availability.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Bottom Line<\/h2>\n<p>The Week 12 report centers on Aaron Rodgers\u2019 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\u2014particularly on defense and at tight end\u2014will shape rotation decisions and play-calling regardless of the quarterback outcome.<\/p>\n<p>Fans and analysts should watch practices later in the week, with Friday expected to offer the clearest picture of Rodgers\u2019 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.<\/p>\n<h2>Sources<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.steelers.com\/news\/week-12-injury-report-bears\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Steelers.com<\/a> (Official team report\/interview)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.steelers.com\/news\/roster-and-injury-reports\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Steelers.com Injury &#038; Roster Notes<\/a> (Official team\/medical updates)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/article>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Lead The Pittsburgh Steelers opened Week 12 preparations Wednesday, November 19, ahead of Sunday\u2019s 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\u2019s win over the Cincinnati Bengals. Coach &#8230; <a title=\"Week 12 Injury Report (Bears) &#8211; Steelers.com\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/week-12-injury-steelers-bears\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Week 12 Injury Report (Bears) &#8211; Steelers.com\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5404,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_title":"Week 12 Injury Report (Bears) \u2014 Steelers.com","rank_math_description":"Aaron Rodgers (left wrist fracture) did not practice Wednesday ahead of Sunday\u2019s game at Soldier Field; Steelers list multiple limited and DNP players in the Week 12 report.","rank_math_focus_keyword":"Aaron Rodgers,wrist fracture,Steelers injury report,Week 12,Soldier Field","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5405","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-top-stories"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5405","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5405"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5405\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5404"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5405"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5405"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5405"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}