Aaron Rodgers will not play in the second preseason game with the Steelers
The Steelers’ fans will have to wait to see Aaron Rodgers in action during the preseason at Acrisure Stadium. The quarterback, along with other key veterans such as DK Metcalf, Jonnu Smith, T.J. Watt, and Cam Heyward, will not participate in the second preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, as announced by coach Mike Tomlin on Thursday.In the first preseason game against the Jaguars, Mason Rudolph was the starter and played two series before being replaced by Skylar Thompson. Thompson played the rest of the game until the last series of the last quarter, when Logan Woodside came in for three plays. Tomlin also mentioned that third-year outside linebacker Nick Herbig, who did not play against Jacksonville, could have some plays on Saturday night, depending on his performance in Thursday’s joint practice against the Buccaneers. When asked if Rodgers’ preseason work would be limited to the joint practice against the Bucs, an exercise Rodgers said he likes because defenses are “less predictable” than in preseason games, Tomlin avoided giving a concrete answer.“I’m going to play this preseason game very similarly to how we did in the first one,” Tomlin commented. “In terms of participation, the same group of players who sat out last time will be the ones sitting out this time.”
Mike Tomlin
Previously, Tomlin hinted to the team’s website that he might keep the 41-year-old quarterback out of preseason games. “You could be looking at one in 2025,” Tomlin told Steelers.com’s Bob Labriola last week, when asked about NFL coaches who don’t play their quarterbacks at all in the preseason. “This guy has been doing this for 21 years. His accumulated snap total and what it takes for him to be ready is different than others. And if I’m not adaptable and open to adjustments in relation to our players’ needs, then I’m not doing my job.”“I’ll take care of next week, next week. Good try,” Tomlin replied.
Mike Tomlin
