When Will Howard suffered a broken finger in training camp during a center-quarterback exchange, Pittsburgh Steelers fans were disappointed to learn that the sixth-round draft pick would miss his entire rookie preseason. Howard was forced to begin his NFL career on the injured reserve list with a designation to return.
After the Steelers opened up Howard's 21-day practice window on October 22, it was only a matter of time before the former Ohio State quarterback was promoted to the active roster. That time has come.
On Wednesday, the Pittsburgh Steelers announced that they have activated Howard from IR to the 53-man roster. This move was made official as the team announced that they have waived running back Trey Sermon, released defensive back Darrick Forrest, and signed cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. to the practice squad.
The Pittsburgh Steelers' decision to activate Will Howard gives the QB a shot to see the field in 2025
Aaron Rodgers might be coming off the worst game of his NFL career, as the nearly 42-year-old quarterback completed just 10 of 23 passes for 96 yards with a 19.4 passer rating up until the final drive of the game against the Chargers on Sunday Night Football. But even with a garbage-time score on an eight-play, 65-yard touchdown drive late in the game, Rodgers finished with a 4.6 QBR in Week 10—the second-worst of his NFL career.
This game came after the Steelers' passing offense averaged just 4.9 yards per dropback in a win over the Indianapolis Colts (thanks to the defense creating six takeaways).
Regardless of his recent struggles, Rodgers isn't going anywhere. But that could change late in the season.
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There's practically no scenario where Rodgers gets benched by the Steelers this year, and if he gets injured, it will be Mason Rudolph who enters the game. However, Pittsburgh's decision to activate Howard means there's a chance he could see the field this year.
His best shot to throw his first NFL pass could come late in the season. If the Steelers have already been eliminated from playoff contention (or if they are already locked into a certain seed by Week 17), Pittsburgh could give Howard a shot in a game that doesn't mean anything.
More likely than not, however, Howard will redshirt his rookie season as he watches from the sidelines. After leading his team to a national championship last season, Steelers fans are anxious to see Will Howard get his first shot in regular-season action. He's unlikely to see the field this year, but now active as the team's third quarterback, there's always a chance.