Steelers Share Positive Will Howard Injury Update

PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers are rolling with four quarterbacks to begin the 2026 regular season. And they expect all four to be available as they prepare for their Week 1 opener against the Atlanta Falcons.

Following their preseason finale against the Buffalo Bills, there was concern about second-year Steelers quarterback Will Howard. He was supposed to speak to the media following that game, but was unavailable because he was being evaluated by the organization's medical staff.

Thankfully, general manager Omar Khan shared a positive update on Howard. Speaking to the media recently, he laid out expectations that Howard will clear concussion protocol in the coming days.

"All these guys are trending positively to be available to us for that game," he said about the team's injury situation. "Will Howard and Ben Skowronek, they had concussions. They're in the protocol, but I see them clearing in the next couple days here."

What This Means for Steelers' Young QB

The news is a huge sigh of relief for Howard, and understandably so. The second-year quarterback was at risk of beginning his second season in the NFL just like he did as a rookie: on the injured list.

Instead, Khan shared an extremely positive update. Howard took a few tough shots during the contest against the Bills, and he was evaluated for a head injury after the game. Based on those tackles and the information relayed postgame, it was unclear the nature of his head injury or how severe it might be.

Aug 27, 2026; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Will Howard (18) passes the ball against the Buffalo Bills during the second quarter at New Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Steelers Plan for Howard

Now, Howard is expected to clear concussion protocol in the next few days. That means he can get back on the practice field and continue taking reps ahead of their regular season opener.

For the second-year player, it's a much better place to be in than he was as a rookie. Limited to being on the periphery as a player on the Injured Reserve, he wasn't able to be as hands-on as he or the organization would have liked. The organization made sure to include him as best they could, but nothing quite makes up for the learning you get by doing.

This season, he will at least be on the field. Reps in practice may be hard to come by still, as he's splitting time with Drew Allar in that third quarterback role, but he will get valuable time working with the scout team. It's a small step, but it's an encouraging one for the promising young quarterback.

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