The Pittsburgh Steelers might have won in Week 11 to move to 6-4 on the year and keep their grip on the AFC North lead, but it came at a price. Aaron Rodgers had to leave the game with an injury to his left wrist, and that injury could keep him out for a bit.
There have been mixed reports on Rodgers' availability for this week's game against the Chicago Bears, a team against which Rodgers has had plenty of success dating back to his time with the Green Bay Packers. Some reports have said that Rodgers will have a 50/50 chance of suiting up, while others have stated that Rodgers wants to play against his old division rival.
While speaking to the media on Tuesday, head coach Mike Tomlin made things surrounding the injury even more confusing. Tomlin said that Rodgers will not practice on Wednesday and that the team is formulating a plan for backup quarterback Mason Rudolph.
Mike Tomlin's Aaron Rodgers update is more confusing than clear
If Rodgers isn't practicing, then that likely means he won't be healthy enough to play, right? Well, not necessarily, at least according to Tomlin. The Steelers head coach said that if Rodgers does practice at all this week, it won't come until later on, and then a decision will be made regarding his status for Sunday's game.
But doesn't Rodgers need to practice in order to suit up and be prepared for this game? Tomlin didn't seem worried about it while speaking to the media.
“He’s the type of guy and has the type of profile that doesn’t require a lot of physical work in an effort to be ready to play,” Tomlin said.
If Tomlin's comments are any indication, Rodgers not practicing this week isn't necessarily a sign of what's to come in Week 12. Tomlin and the coaching staff clearly feel as though Rodgers will be fine to play even with limited reps in practice.
The question now will come if the Steelers think Rodgers can be more effective as the starter than Rudolph can. If the answer to that question is yes, then Rodgers will get his wish in facing the Bears. If not, it'll be Mason Rudolph time.