Skip to content

Steelers’ Aaron Rodgers, Other Starters To Miss First Preseason Game

Aaron Rodgers isn't suiting up against the Jacksonville Jaguars

The Pittsburgh Steelers won’t exactly be putting their best foot forward this weekend…

Aaron Rodgers, DK Metcalf, Jaylen Warren, Pat Freiermuth, Jonnu Smith, Isaac Seumalo, Jalen Ramsey, Joey Porter Jr., Darius Slay, DeShon Elliott, Patrick Queen, T.J. Watt, Cam Heyward, Nick Herbig and Chris Boswell will all be held out of Saturday’s preseason opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars, according to head coach Mike Tomlin.

“I’ve identified some guys that won’t be playing in this game this week,” Tomlin said, as shared by Mark Kaboly of The Pat McAfee Show. “It has nothing to do with injury. They need less runway to take off, to be quite honest with you, because of their experience and where they are in their careers. Oftentimes, I preserve them through this process while providing more opportunity for those that need more preparation, or more opportunity to display their talents and so forth.”

Rodgers had said earlier this week that he was “fully on board” to play in the first preseason game, but in reality, it would have been a major surprise for him to suit up for exhibition games, as he’s only done it once since 2018. The Steelers will instead give opportunities to the likes of Mason Rudolph, Skylar Thompson and (perhaps) freshly signed signal-caller Logan Woodside.

Pittsburgh is in it for the long haul, so there’s no sense in leaving veterans susceptible to injury during a meaningless game.

Story continues below advertisement

More Steelers: Steelers Sign Former Rival Quarterback Following Rookie’s Injury

Featured image via Charles LeClaire/Imagn Images