Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin expects Aaron Rodgers to be ready for next week’s game against the Buffalo Bills, he said on Sunday after his team fell to the Chicago Bears, with Mason Rudolph as the starting quarterback. Rodgers, who suffered a fracture in his left wrist against the Cincinnati Bengals last week, did not participate in the game against the Bears and did not act as the third emergency quarterback.
Tomlin added that it was a prudent decision. “It certainly wasn’t a fluid week for him, it was a fluid week for Mason in terms of repetitions and the like, and I think it will be in our memory as we move forward. I’m hopeful of it.” On Tuesday, Tomlin suggested that Rodgers didn’t need to practice to play on Sunday. It’s the type of person, and has the type of profile, that doesn’t require much physical work to be ready to play. After missing Wednesday’s practice, Rodgers wore a wrist stabilizer and participated in a limited capacity in Thursday and Friday’s practice. Tomlin made the decision that Rodgers would not play on Saturday, and informed Rudolph on the same day that he would be the starter. Some teammates found out on Sunday that Rodgers would not play, including center Zach Frazier.I anticipate it will be ready for next week.
Mike Tomlin
Frazier added that nothing changed for him or the offense. “I feel like both quarterbacks prepared well and we were ready for either one to play today. And obviously Mason, Mason was ready. He prepared all week and was confident in the game plan. We trusted him.” When asked if Rodgers wanted to play on Sunday, Tomlin said that’s the norm for the 41-year-old quarterback. “Aaron always wants to play,” Tomlin said. A surly Rodgers arrived at the stadium about three hours before the game and took a lap around the field before disappearing into the locker room. Shortly after, Tomlin told CBS reporter Evan Washburn that Rodgers would not play. Rodgers, dressed in sportswear, spent the match on the sidelines and engaged with his teammates throughout the game.I found out today.
Zach Frazier
Rudolph, who started in place of Rodgers, added: “I think he knows this isn’t the first time I’ve done this, so he wasn’t whispering in my ear, but he provided some support and an extra set of veteran eyes from the sideline.” In his first start since Week 17 of last season, Rudolph completed 24 of 31 attempts for 171 yards and a touchdown in the fourth quarter to tight end Pat Freiermuth. But Rudolph also threw an interception on his first pass attempt when he targeted DK Metcalf deep and then lost the ball when he was sacked by Montez Sweat.He was active in the game, telling us what he saw.
Zach Frazier
The offense also lost the ball on downs in the first half with a failed attempt. The Bears’ offense converted turnovers and downs into 21 points. The Steelers still recovered the ball with 1:29 to play, as they were losing by three points, but failed to get into field goal range and lost it on downs with 17 seconds remaining on an incomplete pass by Rudolph on 4th and 6.I was just trying to give DK a 50/50 chance to start the play.
Mason Rudolph
When asked if Rudolph’s performance on Sunday would influence Rodgers’ availability against the Bills, Tomlin declined to answer. I’ll talk to you about next week, next week. I’m here to analyze what just happened.We started with a couple of good completions, and you have to give them credit, they made some good plays. They played tight man-to-man coverage and heated us up at the end and were able to deflect the pass. So they played a good game, and you have to give credit to the defense.
Mason Rudolph
