PITTSBURGH, Pa. — The Pittsburgh Steelers officially activated rookie quarterback Will Howard from injured reserve on Tuesday, marking the long-awaited return of a player many inside the organization quietly view as a key part of the franchise’s future.
Howard, 23, had been sidelined since suffering a fractured hand during training camp in late August. The injury forced the sixth-round draft pick out of Ohio State to miss the entire preseason and the first half of the regular season. His return to practice in late October opened a 21-day evaluation window — and now, just in time for Week 11, the Steelers have decided he’s ready to rejoin the active roster.
“It’s great to have Will back,” head coach Mike Tomlin told reporters. “He’s been working hard behind the scenes, staying locked in mentally, and now he’ll finally get the reps he’s been missing.”
Howard’s activation may not mean immediate playing time — especially with Aaron Rodgers entrenched as the starter and Mason Rudolph serving as the backup — but it’s a significant step forward in his development. The team views Howard as a long-term project, a potential heir to Rodgers once the veteran’s career eventually winds down.
“This is about progress, not pressure,” a team source said. “Will’s got the tools — size, arm strength, leadership. He just needs time and reps to put it all together.”
At 6-foot-4 and 240 pounds, Howard was known in college for his poise and big-play potential. After transferring from Kansas State to Ohio State, he led the Buckeyes to a 2024 national championship, boosting his draft stock with an impressive blend of mobility and deep-ball accuracy.
Since arriving in Pittsburgh, he’s earned praise for his work ethic and quick grasp of the playbook, even while sidelined. Rodgers himself has reportedly taken the rookie under his wing, mentoring him in film study and preparation.
“Will’s been like a sponge,” Rodgers said earlier this month. “He asks the right questions. He’s got that competitive edge — the kind you can’t teach.”
The Steelers may not need Howard this season, but his return gives the team valuable insurance — and fans a glimpse of what might come next.
For now, Pittsburgh’s future under center is back on the field, ready to learn, grow, and wait for his moment.
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