The Pittsburgh Steelers enter the weekend at 6-4, clinging to a one-game lead in the AFC North over the surging Baltimore Ravens. As they prepare for a Week 12 matchup against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field, the status of Aaron Rodgers and Jaylen Warren looms large.
Steelers Await Clarity on Aaron Rodgers and Jaylen Warren
Both players missed Wednesday’s practice, raising concerns about their availability for Sunday. Rodgers is managing a fracture in his left wrist, while Warren is recovering from an ankle injury sustained in last week’s win. If either is unable to go, Mason Rudolph and Kenneth Gainwell would be in line to start at quarterback and running back, respectively.
On Thursday, the Steelers offered a glimpse of optimism on the injury front. Rodgers and Warren returned to practice as limited participants, a positive step as the team continues to monitor their progress heading into the weekend.
Warren downplayed the severity of his injury during his postgame media availability, calling the decision to sit out a precautionary measure.
“My ankle got a little tweaked, but I’m good,” Warren said. “I could have (returned), but it was part of being smart. We got a lot of games ahead of us, so they’re looking out for me.”
Rodgers, who was injured late in the second quarter against Cincinnati, said his focus is on being able to protect himself before returning to full action.
“It’s a safety thing,” he said. “It’s not really about pain tolerance. It’s about being able to do my job and protect myself.”
He added that taking snaps from under center remains a challenge, though the team’s medical staff is working on a brace for his non-throwing hand.
“I would say it’d be more difficult to take a snap under center than to catch one in the gun,” Rodgers said. “And there’s been times in my career where we have adjusted and gone to some pistol sets if we need to still keep the spacing on the run distribution between the halfback and the quarterback, but the goal would be to take snaps from under center.”
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Pittsburgh currently ranks 13th in the league with a PFSN Offense Impact Score of 76.0, a mark that reflects the unit’s overall efficiency and playmaking potential. The return of Rodgers and Warren would be a timely boost as the Steelers look to maintain offensive rhythm on the road.
Check back throughout the week for updates on Rodgers, Warren, and the Steelers’ final injury designations ahead of Sunday’s kickoff in Chicago.
