Mike Tomlin says Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ fractured left wrist will not need surgery, and he might be able to play on Sunday against the Chicago Bears.
Tomlin says the Steelers are still working on getting Rodgers ready.
Meanwhile, Tomlin is very comfortable with Mason Rudolph replacing Rodgers if necessary.
The coach says it may not be until Friday that we can learn if Rodgers can play.
Other injury news shared by Tomlin includes linebacker Alex Highsmith will be limited in practice with his pectoral muscle injury. He missed Sunday’s game against Cincinnati. Running back Jaylen Warren will also be limited, with an ankle injury. Cole Holcomb will again attempt to return from illness, but he will be limited. He’s missed the last three games. Wide receiver/return man Ke’Shawn Williams remains in concussion protocol, as does cornerback Darius Slay. Tomlin said Slay will return to the starting lineup once he clears the protocol, but James Pierre will still get plenty of action.
Like Steelers fans everywhere, Tomlin was impressed by tight end Darnell Washington’s battering runs-after-catches on Sunday. He says Washington is unique.
As for this Sunday’s game against 7-3 Chicago, Tomlin is well aware of the Bears’ punishing running game, but says stopping it is the problem.
The coach is also aware that the Steelers are 1-12 all-time when playing the Bears in Chicago.
Tomlin also refused to comment on the spitting incident involving the Bengals’ Ja’Mar Chase and the Steelers’ Jalen Ramsey, but he appeared to exonerate Ramsey for punching Chase, saying, “I have no messages if someone spits in your face. Do what comes natural.” Chase lost his appeal of his league-imposed one-game suspension yesterday.
Looking for some depth, the Steelers reportedly worked out five players yesterday, all of whom have limited exposure in the NFL. Quarterbacks Jason Bean and Taylor Mordecai, and wide receivers Cole Burgess, Elijah Cooks, and Cornell Powell all got a look.
The team also re-signed quarterback/wide receiver John Rhys Plumlee to the practice squad and released defensive back Jack Henderson.
