Steelers Now
UNITY TWP., Pa. — Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin delivered a sobering update Tuesday on rookie quarterback Will Howard, confirming that the sixth-round pick suffered a broken finger on his throwing hand.
“Regarding Will’s hand injury, he’s got a broken finger. It can be characterized as week to week,” Tomlin said. “He’s looking at his options. I’ll have more information when it’s definitive, but he’s certainly out this week. It appears to be non-surgical, and so we’ll see.”
The injury occurred during a quarterback center exchange in practice and affects Howard’s right pinkie. While not deemed season ending, it’s expected to sideline him for most, if not all, of the preseason.
Initial reports suggested a minor fracture, but the diagnosis was clarified as a broken finger. Although it’s a relatively mild injury in the broader scope, the timing is significant. For a late round rookie like Howard, who was generating buzz in camp, preseason reps were critical to his development and chance to rise in the quarterback pecking order.
Many within the organization and fan base were eager to see the former national champion from Ohio State in live action, viewing him as a potential steal in the sixth round. Howard had been listed third on the depth chart, but a strong preseason could have positioned him as the primary backup behind veteran Aaron Rodgers.
Rodgers, 41, has already been ruled out of the Steelers’ preseason opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars as the team aims to preserve him for the regular season. That leaves Mason Rudolph and Skylar Thompson to handle the majority of the snaps. With Howard unavailable, Thompson, long considered a career backup, will likely see an increased workload. The team is also expected to sign an additional quarterback to carry through the remainder of the preseason.
While the injury won’t affect Howard’s long term outlook, the setback delays his on field debut and limits his ability to make a strong early impression. He’ll continue to stay involved mentally and take walkthrough reps, but for now, the focus shifts to evaluating the team’s other depth options behind Rodgers.
Alan Saunders and Brendan Howe provided reporting from St. Vincent College.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Mike Tomlin Updates Injury Status for QB Will Howard
