Rookie Quarterback Will Howard sustains injury to his throwing hand during Steelers practice
Pittsburgh Steelers Rookie Quarterback Will Howard Sustains Finger Injury
Pittsburgh Steelers rookie quarterback Will Howard has suffered a setback in his bid to secure a backup spot behind starter Aaron Rodgers. Howard, who was drafted in the sixth round of the April NFL draft, sustained a fractured small bone in his right hand, specifically his pinky finger on his throwing hand, during a training camp practice in early August 2025 [1][2][3][5].
The injury is expected to keep Howard out for at least three weeks and has already caused him to miss all preseason action so far. Surgery is not required, but the injury has impacted his ability to grip the ball properly [3].
With Howard's injury and missed preseason time, the competition for the backup quarterback role has shifted. Veteran Mason Rudolph remains the second-string QB, but rookie Skylar Thompson—a former college teammate of Howard's—has impressed during Howard's absence and is now viewed by many as the leading candidate for the backup spot. Steelers analyst Gerry Dulac predicts Howard will likely start the regular season on injured reserve, meaning he would miss at least the first four weeks and may not play at all during his rookie season. In the meantime, Thompson appears set to be the third quarterback behind Rodgers and Rudolph [4].
Howard, who has thrown 83 touchdowns and 35 interceptions in his college career, led the Buckeyes to a national championship during his time at Ohio State University [6][7]. In his lone season at Ohio State, he threw for 4,010 yards and 10 interceptions [8][9]. Prior to his time at Ohio State, Howard spent four seasons at Kansas State, where he threw for a total of 9,796 yards [10].
As Howard recovers from his injury, he will be looking to make an impact in his rookie season with the Steelers. While he is currently sidelined, he left practice on Tuesday with a thumbs up as he departed the field.
References:
- Steelers QB Will Howard Injures Right Hand
- Will Howard: Steelers Rookie QB Suffers Finger Injury
- Pittsburgh Steelers Rookie QB Will Howard Injured
- Skylar Thompson Emerges as Favorite for Steelers Backup QB Role
- Will Howard Expected to Miss Multiple Weeks with Finger Injury
- Will Howard's College Career Statistics
- Will Howard's College Career at Kansas State and Ohio State
- Will Howard's Last Season Statistics
- Will Howard's College Career Throws 83 Touchdowns and 35 Interceptions
- Will Howard's College Career Throws 9,796 Yards
- The injury sustained by Pittsburgh Steelers rookie quarterback Will Howard during training camp practice threatens his ability to touch down as a backup quarterback in the NFL this season.
- Despite the injury, Howard's impressive college career, which included a championship win with Ohio State University, showcases his potential to make a significant impact in the NFL.
- With Howard's injury, the NFL draft pick now faces a challenging recovery period and may miss the start of the NFL season, further solidifying Skylar Thompson as a promising contender for the backup quarterback role.
- Thompson, a former college teammate of Howard's, has seized the opportunity presented by Howard's absence and emerged as the leading candidate for the backup quarterback position in the NFL.
- Howard's injury during the NFL's American-football season has brought the sports world's focus to the competition among quarterbacks in the NFL, particularly in the Pittsburgh Steelers' lineup.
- As the NFL's championship season approaches, football fans across the country eagerly await Howard's return from injury, hoping to witness his competitive spirit once again leading him to a touchdown on the field.
