Four-time NFL MVP-winning quarterback Aaron Rodgers signed a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers this offseason, in what he is expecting to be his last season in the league. However, Rodgers has admitted that he’s willing to consider a return to the sport at the end of the season after seeing how this year goes for him and the team.
Pittsburgh believes that a Super Bowl run is possible this season, after their aggressive approach this offseason toward building a ready-to-compete roster, such as the blockbuster trades that landed star cornerback Jalen Ramsey from the Miami Dolphins and star wideout DK Metcalf from the Seattle Seahawks.
Unfortunately, one player that Pittsburgh hopes will be a major contributor whenever Rodgers decides to hang up the cleats and retire, rookie quarterback Will Howard, suffered an injury that ended his first NFL training camp early.
“I wish I could be out there playing, but the fact of the matter is, it happened, I’ve got to continue to stay locked in and make sure l’m still on my stuff and locked in during meetings and practice and still getting all the mental reps. Because this time still is important to me,” Howard said of the injury.
While there was still optimism that Howard could return in time for the regular season, it doesn’t appear like it’s going to happen, per one prominent league insider.
“Steelers signed S Chuck Clark and G Max Scharping to their active roster and placed QB Will Howard and CB Donte Kent on injured reserve,” reported ESPN’s senior NFL Insider Adam Schefter.
Fans reacted to the news on social media.
“Steelers shuffling the deck early depth gets a boost with Clark & Scharping in, but tough blows losing Howard and Kent to IR,” one fan wrote on Twitter.
“Tough to see Howard & Kent hit IR, but Clark & Scharping add some real dept,” someone else added.
“Looks like the Steelers are playing a game of fantasy football, but with real players and a much sadder outcome,” one fan added.
Hopefully, Howard can join the active roster soon.
About Qwame Skinner
Qwame Skinner has loved both writing and sports his entire life. In addition to his sports coverage at Comeback Media, Qwame writes novels, and his debut; The First Casualty, an adult fantasy, is out now.