Quarterback Will Howard of the Pittsburgh Steelers reportedly fractured a finger, potentially sidelining him for the upcoming preseason.
Pittsburgh Steelers rookie quarterback Will Howard is currently recovering from a hand injury, which occurred during training camp in Latrobe, Pa. The injury, a fractured small bone in his right hand, is expected to keep him sidelined for at least the preseason period and potentially the first few weeks of the regular season.
Howard, who was selected by the Steelers in the sixth round of April's NFL draft, had hoped to compete for the backup job to Aaron Rodgers in preseason games. However, his injury has prevented him from participating in these crucial opportunities.
Initially, it was expected that Howard would miss about three weeks, potentially allowing for a return during preseason games. However, recent reports indicate that he is anticipated to begin the regular season on injured reserve (IR), which would keep him sidelined for at least the first four weeks and possibly for the entire rookie season.
The Steelers seem poised to keep Skylar Thompson as QB3, making Howard's immediate competition for the backup spot difficult. Thompson has effectively taken over the backup QB role behind Rodgers and Mason Rudolph, following his strong preseason performance.
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin remains cautiously optimistic, using a "week-to-week" injury status early on. However, the practical outlook is that Howard will not dress for games in the near future. Given the NFL rules around IR and the current depth chart, it is expected that Howard will not contend for the active backup quarterback role in the early part of the season, and the team may choose to keep him on IR as he continues recovering and developing behind veteran mentors Rodgers and Rudolph.
Prior to joining the Steelers, Howard led the Ohio State Buckeyes to a national championship in his lone season at the school. In his college career, he threw for a total of 9,796 yards, 83 touchdowns, and 35 interceptions, with 4,010 yards, 35 TDs, and 10 picks in 16 games last year.
Summary:
| Aspect | Current Status | |-----------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------| | Injury | Fractured small bone in right hand (non-surgical) | | Expected Recovery Timeline | Initially 3+ weeks; likely sidelined first 4+ weeks (IR) | | Preseason Participation | Missed entire preseason | | Backup QB Competition | Skylar Thompson currently ahead as backup QB3 | | Steelers Roster Strategy | Howard likely on IR at start of season, possibly whole year | | Mentorship | Mentored by veterans Aaron Rodgers and Mason Rudolph |
Therefore, Will Howard's chances to compete immediately for the Pittsburgh Steelers' backup quarterback position are currently low due to injury and Skylar Thompson’s preseason performance, but he remains an important developmental prospect for the team’s future.
In the NFL, Pittsburgh Steelers rookie quarterback Will Howard, drafted in the sixth round of the April NFL draft, is currently recovering from a fractured small bone in his right hand. The injury, which occurred during training camp, may keep him sidelined for the entire preseason and potentially the first few weeks of the regular season. Due to Howard's injury, Skylar Thompson has taken over the backup QB role, making it challenging for Howard to compete for the backup spot immediately. Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin anticipates Howard to begin the regular season on injured reserve (IR), keeping him out of action for at least the first four weeks and possibly for the entire rookie season.
Given Howard's exceptional college career with Ohio State Buckeyes, where he led the team to a national championship and threw for a total of 9,796 yards, 83 touchdowns, and 35 interceptions, he remains an essential developmental prospect for the Steelers' future. His return to the football field will be closely watched as he continues to learn from veteran QBs Aaron Rodgers and Mason Rudolph.
Overall, Will Howard's immediate chances to compete for the Pittsburgh Steelers' backup quarterback position are limited due to injury and Skylar Thompson’s strong preseason performance. However, this does not diminish Howard's potential for the team's future in the American football landscape of the NFL. A touchdown and victory for Howard await as he builds on his skills and recovers from his current injury, continuing his journey to contribute to the Steelers' championship ambitions.
