Steelers Delay Will Howard’s Return for Week 8 Matchup

The Pittsburgh Steelers have decided to keep rookie quarterback Will Howard inactive for their Week 8 game against the Green Bay Packers. While the team opened his practice window, allowing him to begin the return process from Injured Reserve, he will not be available for the upcoming matchup on October 29, 2023.

Howard’s return to practice marked a significant milestone for the sixth-round draft pick, who suffered a broken bone in his throwing hand during training camp. This injury sidelined him throughout the preseason and the beginning of the regular season. After the Steelers finalized their 53-man roster, they placed Howard on Injured Reserve to allow time for recovery.

The Steelers took a step towards his eventual return when they released quarterback Logan Woodside from their practice squad. This action left the team with only two quarterbacks, suggesting that Howard might be activated for the second half of the season.

In his first practice back, Howard expressed his excitement, stating, “It was like all that joy of being a little kid playing football again came back.” He participated in scout team drills and described the experience as one of the happiest moments of his career, even while only handing off the ball.

Despite his enthusiasm, Howard will need to continue waiting to be included on game days. The Steelers have a period of 21 days from the opening of his return window to activate him. Should they choose to do so, he would be added back to the 53-man roster. If not, he will remain sidelined for the remainder of the season.

While recuperating, Howard remained involved with the team, developing a strong rapport with veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith humorously noted Howard’s contributions during his time on Injured Reserve, referring to him as “Coach Will” due to his guidance to teammates. Now that he has returned to practice, he is expected to revert to his role as a player.

The Steelers face a decision regarding Howard’s activation as they navigate their injury management. The team has only seven designated return spots available, with players like Malik Harrison and Cory Trice Jr. already on Injured Reserve. Trice’s placement occurred before the season commenced, further complicating the Steelers’ roster decisions.

As the team prepares for the Packers, it remains uncertain whether they will activate Howard within the 21-day window or wait to assess the situation regarding other potential injuries. The Steelers aim to maximize their roster flexibility while ensuring Howard’s readiness for his return to play.