Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin spoke about Aaron Rodgers' health on Tuesday.
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin is optimistic about having quarterback Aaron Rodgers back in the lineup in Week 13 against the Buffalo Bills.
Rodgers didn't play in Week 12 against the Chicago Bears. The future Hall of Famer fractured a bone in his left wrist in Week 11 against the Cincinnati Bengals.
"We'll start this week with great optimism," Tomlin said. "Although we certainly will limit him at the early portions of the week (and) provide opportunities for the other quarterbacks while preserving him.
"Again, we're comfortable with the general trajectory, but I'll keep you updated. His level of participation and the quality of his participation over the course of the week will be the greatest indicator."
In his first season with the Steelers, Rodgers has 1,969 passing yards, 19 passing touchdowns and seven interceptions. He's completing 66.4% of his passes.
Rodgers was pushing to play against the Bears, but Tomlin and the Steelers held the four-time MVP out.
"It was the prudent and appropriate decision," Tomlin said. "First and foremost, you lean on the advice of the medical experts. I'm not going to take his competitive spirit and his will to compete as a negative. Those are positives. But certainly, it's our job as leaders to exercise appropriate precaution. And first and foremost, for me, are the opinions of the medical staff."
The Steelers are 6-5 on the season. They are tied with the Baltimore Ravens for first place in the AFC North.
Tomlin and the Steelers haven't won a playoff game since 2016, while Rodgers hasn't won a postseason game since 2020. Pittsburgh and Rodgers agreed to a one-year contract in free agency, so this could be Rodgers' only season with the Steelers.
One of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history, Rodgers has played for the Green Bay Packers, New York Jets and Steelers. He has 522 passing touchdowns and 64,921 passing yards in the regular season.