Steelers QB Will Howard to be Placed on Injured Reserve

PITTSBURGH, Pa. — The Pittsburgh Steelers will place rookie quarterback Will Howard on injured reserve, according to Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. The sixth-round draft pick will miss at least the first four weeks of the season after fracturing his right pinkie finger during practice on August 5.

Steelers head coach announced the news on Tuesday, noting that the team may wait to officially place Howard on IR. The decision opens up a spot for Skylar Thompson, who will step in as the team’s third-string quarterback. Mason Rudolph will be the backup to starter Aaron Rodgers.

Howard joined the Steelers after a standout season at Ohio State, leading the team to a national championship victory. Draft experts previously speculated that Pittsburgh would target a quarterback early in the 2025 NFL Draft; they ended up selecting Howard in the sixth round. Insider reports indicated that Howard was climbing the depth chart during training camp, reportedly surpassing Thompson for the QB3 role before his injury.

Despite his recent successes in camp, Head Coach applauded Howard’s progress prior to the injury, stating he was “moving in the right direction toward full participation soon.” However, that sentiment seems to have shifted with the announcement of his placement on injured reserve.

With Rodgers taking the helm this season and Rudolph backing him up, Howard’s development may be hindered, as he will miss key preseason game action. Thompson has impressed during the preseason, completing 73.2% of his passes for 498 yards and four touchdowns, raising questions about his potential trade value.

The Steelers face a critical decision as they approach roster cuts, weighing the possibility of keeping four quarterbacks on the final roster. Until Howard is officially placed on IR, the team may explore trade opportunities for Thompson.

As the Steelers finalize their roster, Howard’s return will be contingent upon his recovery and the team’s future needs at quarterback. The decision regarding his IR status is expected soon.