Steelers might be having second thoughts regarding Aaron Rodgers’ return vs. Bills following injury to key offensive starter
Aaron Rodgers could be on his way back, but it might not be the smartest move following an injury to his starting LT.
Despite desperately wanting to compete against the Chicago Bears last week, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Mike Tomlin thought it was in the team’s best interest to give Aaron Rodgers the week off after he fractured his wrist against the Cincinnati Bengals.
But after the game, and again on Tuesday, Tomlin said he was optimistic about Rodgers returning to the gridiron against the Buffalo Bills, noting he would be limited early on in the week, but that he felt good about Rodgers’ return. There’s only one problem. If Rodgers is back in the saddle on Sunday, he is likely to have a hobbled DK Metcalf and a backup at LT.
Broderick Jones out vs. the Bills, Aaron Rodgers questionable
Tomlin revealed that both Broderick Jones and Derrick Harmon will be out against the Bills, with players like Joey Porter Jr. and Metcalf listed as questionable with hip and ankle injuries, respectively. As for Rodgers, the arrow is pointing up.
“Aaron obviously, man, worked his tail off to get to us last week, but as I mentioned over the course of the weekend, it was a prudent and appropriate decision [to not play him Sunday]. We’ll start this week with great optimism, although we certainly will limit him at the early portions of the week,” said Tomlin of Rodgers during his weekly presser via the Steelers YouTube channel.
“[We’ll] provide opportunities for the other quarterbacks while preserving him. But again, we’re comfortable with the general trajectory, but I’ll keep you updated in his level of participation, and the quality of his participation over the course of the week will be the greatest indicator.”
By no means should the Steelers trot Mason Rudolph out there against the Bills. If Rodgers is healthy, he needs to play. But if you have a backup LT for your immobile, soon-to-be 42-year-old quarterback and your WR No. 1 is less than 100 percent with a bum ankle, the Steelers may be second-guessing themselves.
The issue is, with the Ravens now in first place in the division, the Steelers are essentially in must-win mode. They might be 6-5 and only spot out of a playoff spot, but that’s a far cry from where the team once stood.
Oh, and the schedule won’t be getting any easier going forward.
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