‘Three fractures’ – Aaron Rodgers earns teammates’ ‘respect’ as Steelers make decision on $394m QB

Aaron Rodgers is back, broken bones and all.

The 41-year-old quarterback suffered a broken wrist on his non-throwing arm during the first half of the Pittsburgh Steelers‘ 34-12 win over the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 11.

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Rodgers – who is expected to retire after the 2025 NFL season – was unable to suit up for the Steelers’ 31-28 Week 12 loss to the Chicago Bears,

Backup Mason Rudolph took over under center instead, and completed 24-of-31 passing for 171 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

But just two weeks after suffering the injury, Rodgers is set to regain his starting position against the 7-4 Buffalo Bills at Accrisure Stadium on Sunday.

However, the 21-year veteran’s injury is far worse than originally believed, with NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport revealing early on Sunday morning that he has at least three fractures in his left wrist.

One of those fractures is deemed a “more consequential break that can only happen with significant force.”

Nonetheless, Rodgers is adamant that he will play through the injury as the Steelers seek to stretch their lead over AFC North rivals Baltimore Ravens who fell behind the Steelers after a Thanksgiving Day loss to the Bengals.

Rapoport further reported that as a result, Rodgers’ Steelers teammates are full of even more respect for their veteran signal caller.

“Aaron Rodgers was already a respected figure in the Pittsburgh locker room. But the way he’s handled his injury has earned him even more respect,” Rapoport wrote on X.

“Not one, but at least three fractures. But because none are displaced, and because pain tolerance isn’t an issue, he can go.”

In 10 games this season, Rodgers has completed 66.4 percent of his passes for 1,969 yards, 19 touchdowns and seven interceptions.

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‘All systems go’ on Rodgers

As the week progressed, all signs pointed to Rodgers returning to face against Josh Allen and the 7-4 Bills with him listed as a full participant with no designation for the game after Friday’s practice.

Head coach Mike Tomlin said on Friday, “It’s all systems go.”

Tomlin was also asked what he had seen from Rodgers – who has earned over $394 million over the course of his two-decade-long career – throughout the week’s practice that proved that he was healthy enough to play.

“Just more reps certainly, but certainly it’s another week,” he said. “And so I’m sure there’s more comfort there — not only in him, but in the medical experts.”

Rodgers, however, discussed the “limitations” he had to deal with during the week due to the cast on his wrist, though he reassured reporters that it was just “for safety.”

Protecting the quarterback will be pivotal to keeping Rodgers under center, but the Steelers’ offensive line is somewhat depleted with Broderick Jones having been placed on Injured Reserve on Saturday due to a neck injury.

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Therefore, former first-round pick for the New Orleans Saints and three-time Pro Bowler Andrus Peat, who has made just one appearance for the Steel City this season back in Week 10 in the 25-10 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, has his work cut out for him.

With Rodgers quite literally putting his body on the line for the team, he will be hoping that Peat and the rest of the offensive line will do the same for him and go to war as the Steelers enter the business end of the season.

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