Steelers Now
UNITY TWP., Pa. — Pittsburgh Steelers rookie quarterback Will Howard confirmed that he suffered his broken right pinky finger due to a quarterback/center exchange in last Tuesday’s practice. He called it a “freak accident.”
“It sucks. Every ounce of me wants to be out there playing and I’m just kind of sitting here doing nothing. It kills me,” Howard said.
“It was during a team run period. I took the snap and it felt like I jammed my finger real bad. I played the next two plays, I threw the ball with it. It didn’t feel right. I couldn’t really grab the ball, so I knew something was messed up here. It didn’t feel right. I normally can tolerate pain pretty well, but I literally could not grip a football.”
Howard was diagnosed with a fractured small bone in his hand. Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin believes it’s possible the rookie quarterback could return in time to play in one of the team’s two preseason games that remain after Saturday.
Howard confirmed that he does not need surgery. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network initially reported that Howard is expected to miss at least three weeks.
“I would characterize it as week-to-week at this juncture. I’ll be optimistic and we’ll see what next week holds,” Tomlin said during last Thursday press conference.
Tomlin was then asked if it’s possible Howard could play this preseason.
“Certainly,” Tomlin said.
Howard hopes to get some preseason action, but he knows it’s not his call.
“I really hope so. I’ll have to see how this heals, “Howard said when asked if it’s realistic he can return for the preseason. “I refer to Coach Tomlin on that stuff. I’m still taking it day-by-day, week-by-week and doing what I can to stay ready so I don’t have to get ready. If that opportunity does present itself, I’ll be ready. I just want to stay physically in shape. I would love an opportunity to get out there. it’s killing me.”
The Steelers drafted the Ohio State product in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. He passed for 4,010 yards, 35 touchdowns and 10 interceptions for Ryan Day’s Buckeyes, who won the College Football Playoff national title.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Will Howard is Chomping at the Bit to Return: ‘Every Ounce of Me Wants to Be Out There’
