Will Howard’s Injury Details
Pittsburgh Steelers rookie quarterback Will Howard has been diagnosed with a fractured small bone in his hand, as reported by Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. The injury occurred during practice, but fortunately, surgery will not be necessary. Despite this positive news, Howard is expected to be sidelined for a few weeks, marking a significant setback in his first training camp.
Implications for the Steelers
In a post via X, Rapoport stated, “#Steelers rookie QB Will Howard, who banged his throwing hand in practice, suffered a fractured small bone in his hand, sources say. He’s having additional tests, but it’s likely no surgery is required. He’s expected to miss at least 3 weeks, but more info coming.”
Given the circumstances, it appears Aaron Rodgers will step in as the Steelers’ starting quarterback for the upcoming season opener against the New York Jets on September 7. The Steelers signed Rodgers with the aim of securing a Super Bowl victory, and as long as he stays healthy, he will lead the team on the field.
Impact on Howard’s Development
This injury is particularly detrimental for Howard, as it will limit his practice time and prevent him from participating in preseason games. He was anticipated to play against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Saturday and was also set to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on August 16 and the Carolina Panthers on August 21. Now, he will have to watch these critical opportunities from the sidelines.
His absence opens the door for fellow backup quarterbacks, Mason Rudolph and Skylar Thompson, to gain valuable playing time. As of now, the Steelers have not disclosed their preseason plans for Rodgers.
Howard’s Journey to the NFL
Will Howard was selected in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, going No. 185 overall. He had an impressive season at Ohio State after transferring from Kansas State via the NCAA transfer portal, helping the Buckeyes to a national championship under head coach Ryan Day. During his collegiate career, Howard played in 16 games, accumulating 4,010 passing yards, 35 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions, while completing an impressive 73% of his passes. His standout performances included an average of 287.5 yards per game in the College Football Playoff, where he added eight touchdowns and just two interceptions.
As Howard’s NFL journey begins, his development will be crucial, especially with such an unfortunate injury early on.
