Aaron Rodgers exited the Steelers’ Week 11 showdown against the Bengals after sustaining a left hand injury late in the first half. He has been labeled as questionable to return.
At halftime, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin told CBS Sports Melanie Collins that Rodgers was being evaluated and that they were hoping that he would return at some point. Rodgers was seen holding his wrist after being hit by multiple Bengals defenders during the Steelers’ final offensive play of the first half.
Rodgers was replaced by Mason Rudolph, Pittsburgh’s longtime backup who has a 9-8-1 record as an NFL starting quarterback. Rudolph is 8-4-1 as the Steelers’ starting quarterback that includes a 2-0 record against the Bengals.
Rudolph’s most memorable game against Cincinnati took place in Week 16 of the 2023 season. With the Steelers reeling (they had lost their last three games to fall to 7-7), Rudolph threw for 290 yards and two touchdowns while leading Pittsburgh to a 34-11 win over the Bengals. Rudolph then led Pittsburgh to two more wins to close out the regular season while clinching the AFC’s final playoff spot.
Rodgers, 41, helped lead Pittsburgh to a 10-6 halftime lead over a Cincinnati team that defeated the Steelers back in Week 7. Rodgers gave the Steelers an early lead by throwing an 11-yard touchdown pass to running back Kenneth Gainwell on the game’s opening drive.
With Rodgers sidelined, Pittsburgh added to its lead in the third quarter. After Rudolph’s first drive ended in a Chris Boswell field goal, Steelers safety Kyle Dugger made it a 20-9 game when he recorded a 73-yard pick-six off of Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco late in the third quarter.
