The Pittsburgh Steelers will need their veteran quarterback in Week 13. Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers was unable to play in Week 12 and it lead to a close loss against the Bears. Now Pittsburgh is getting ready to face Buffalo in Week 13, but Rodgers' availability still seems somewhat murky.
Rodgers spoke to the media on Wednesday for the first time this week. He dropped some cryptic comments about his availability on Sunday.
“I wasn’t able to go last week,” Rodgers told reporters on Wednesday. “So I’m hoping for a different outcome this week.”
When asked about the difference between this week and last, Rodgers simply replied “time for healing.”
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin declared on Sunday that he “anticipates Aaron Rodgers will be ready to play next week.” But he walked that back on Tuesday, saying he has “great optimism” that Rodgers will play in Week 13.
The Steelers seem determined to dance around the topic without giving a firm answer.
NFL insiders still not certain that Aaron Rodgers will play for Steelers in Week 13
As such, NFL insiders are uncertain about whether Rodgers will suit up against the Bills.
ESPN's Dan Graziano explained that Pittsburgh feels better about Rodgers' chances of playing this week. But that alone is no guarantee.
“The Steelers feel better about Aaron Rodgers' chances of playing this Sunday against the Bills than they did at this time last week about his chances of playing in Chicago,” Graziano wrote on Wednesday. “Talking to people with the Steelers on Saturday and Sunday, I was told the decision about Rodgers playing against the Bears would come down to his own comfort level and whether he felt he could function on the field with that fracture in his left wrist.”
The Athletic's Dianna Russini reported very similar information ahead of Week 13.
“The Steelers are hoping to have an answer on his game status earlier this week than they did last week, when they took the decision up to game day,” Russini wrote.
If Rodgers cannot play, Mason Rudolph will get the start once again. And that would be a problem for a Steelers team that is losing ground in the AFC North.
Steelers vs. Bills kicks off at 4:25PM ET on Sunday.
