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Steelers Make Decision on Aaron Rodgers’s Status for Week 12 vs. Bears

The quarterback has been dealing with a fractured wrist this week.

Madison Williams

Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers will not start vs. the Bears.
Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers will not start vs. the Bears. / Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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Aaron Rodgers has been dealing with a fractured wrist since last Sunday, but there was still a chance he could start in Sunday’s matchup vs. the Bears.

The quarterback, officially listed as questionable, even walked around Soldier Field on Sunday morning (and flipped the camera off), giving Pittsburgh fans hope that their QB1 would be ready to play. However, in the end, the Steelers decided it was too soon for Rodgers to start, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero reported. The 41-year-old QB will miss Sunday's game.

Mason Rudolph, who came in for Rodgers last Sunday and led the Steelers to a 34–12 win over the Bengals, will make his first start this season on Sunday. He threw for 127 yards and one touchdown last weekend.

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin called the decision a “prudent play” for the team moving forward as Rodgers should be good to return next weekend when the Steelers face the Bills.

NFL fans were excited to see Rodgers back in Chicago, a place where he holds a 12–3 record when he starts. He notably told Bears fans that he “owns them” back when his Packers played there in 2021. The quarterback downplayed the “villain” narrative heading into this weekend, but there was still expected to be some banter between him and Bears fans—how could there not be?

Instead, Rodgers will be on the sidelines as he likely will not receive a warm welcome in Chicago.

The Steelers remain on top of the AFC North rankings with a 6–4 record, but every win helps to keep that top spot and a playoff bid. The 7–3 Bears could prove to be a tough opponent for Pittsburgh.

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Madison Williams
MADISON WILLIAMS

Madison Williams is a staff writer on the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated, where she specializes in tennis but covers a wide range of sports from a national perspective. Before joining SI in 2022, Williams worked at The Sporting News. Having graduated from Augustana College, she completed a master’s in sports media at Northwestern University. She is a dog mom and an avid reader.

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