On Monday, former NFL quarterback and current analyst Matt Hasselbeck insisted that Pittsburgh Steelers starter Aaron Rodgers could play with a small fracture in his left (non-throwing) wrist as long as Rodgers wouldn’t need surgery to repair the issue.
It seems Rodgers and the Steelers received a positive update regarding his health.
Is Aaron Rodgers on track to start for Steelers at Bears?
Late Tuesday morning, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport reported that Rodgers “will not need to undergo surgery to repair his fractured left wrist.” Pelissero and Rapoport added that Rodgers “currently is pushing to” start for the 6-4 Steelers at the 7-3 Chicago Bears this coming Sunday but “will need clearance from doctors to be able to play.”
Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports shared that whether or not Rodgers will play against the Bears “will depend on [his] ability to take snaps under center and grip ability.”
“Really, it’s just about bracing it and securing it for his comfort and safety,” Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said about Rodgers’ wrist while speaking with reporters on Tuesday afternoon, per Mike DeFabo of The Athletic. “And then it’s about how functional he is.”
Rodgers suffered his latest injury during Pittsburgh’s 34-12 win over the Cincinnati Bengals this past Sunday. Backup Mason Rudolph completed 12-of-16 passes for 127 yards and a touchdown in the relief appearance.
“I can’t say enough about Mason Rudolph,” Tomlin said during his media availability on Tuesday. “Although we’re used to it, it’s appreciated. He’s proven over his time here, he’s capable of coming in and playing winning football for us.”
Why Aaron Rodgers may be hyped to face Bears
Rodgers famously featured for the Green Bay Packers from 2005 through the 2022 season and has a long history of tormenting Chicago fans. Per NBC Chicago, he has accumulated a career 24-5 record against the Bears. He passed for 64 touchdowns with 10 interceptions against Chicago as a member of the Packers.
During the 2021 season, Rodgers trolled Chicago fans regarding his dominance of their beloved team.
Shortly after the latest Rodgers update surfaced, ESPN BET had the Steelers as three-point road underdogs against the Bears.
