Steelers’ Aaron Rodgers Takes Positive Step Toward Playing In Week 12

Aaron Rodgers continued his efforts to navigate a wrist injury without missing time.

As anticipated, the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback returned to practice on Thursday. The team listed him as a limited participant four days after he sustained a fracture in his left wrist during a Week 11 win over the Cincinnati Bengals.

It remains undetermined whether Rodgers will suit up this Sunday against the Chicago Bears. Seeing the field on Thursday at least keeps a start in play for the 41-year-old.

Rodgers told reporters Wednesday, per ESPN’s Brooke Pryor, that he felt better than he did on Sunday and hoped to practice on Thursday. Challenging the idea that his availability boils down to pain tolerance, the four-time MVP called his decision to play a “safety thing.”

The former Green Bay Packers star also isn’t extra motivated to play the Bears, an ex-rival against whom he holds a 24-5 career record.

“There’s incentive for every opponent, but I have enjoyed many a Sunday and Monday and Thursdays in that city,” Rodgers said. “It’s a great sports town, phenomenal sports fans and great place to play.”

Asked before Thursday’s practice whether he’s monitoring anything specifically to gauge whether Rodgers can play, via Pryor, Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith expressed confidence in the veteran’s ability to know whether he can effectively compete.

“I just trust him,” Smith said. “This isn’t his first rodeo.”

The Steelers would turn to Mason Rudolph if Rodgers doesn’t play. The future Hall of Famer trusts his understudy, who finished Sunday’s game with 127 yards and a touchdown pass.

“He’s a great backup,” Rodgers said of Rudolph. “He’s super helpful during the week. He’s a professional. He is ready to play. He’s a gamer, and watching the locker room last week, I was super fired up watching him go up and down the field.”

The Steelers received some more encouraging news on Thursday. Running back Jaylen Warren and pass rusher Alex Highsmith each returned to practice as limited participants after sitting out Wednesday. Defensive tackle Cam Heyward (rest) was the only player who missed Thursday’s practice.

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