Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) comes off the field after failing to convert on third down in the second quarter of the NFL Week 11 game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh on Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025. Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Update on Steelers' Aaron Rodgers revealed following wrist injury

By Adam Gretz | Last updated Nov 16, 2025 9:02 PM ET

The Pittsburgh Steelers earned a major win over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, beating them 34-12 on the strength of two second-half defensive touchdowns and a big day from running back Kenneth Gainwell. It did come with its costs, however.

The Steelers lost two key offensive starters to injury in the game as quarterback Aaron Rodgers and running back Jaylen Warren both left with injuries. Rodgers exited the game at halftime with a left wrist injury and did not return.

The Steelers will know more about his status after further evaluation on Monday, but early indications are it should not be a long-term injury.

Steelers' Aaron Rodgers has left wrist injury

Initial reports indicate that Rodgers may have suffered a small fracture in his left wrist. He has reportedly told people close to him that he expects to be back soon.

Aaron Rodgers has indicated to people close to him that he’ll be back soon. Initial testing would support that, but more coming. https://t.co/pzTrcRH9si
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 17, 2025

Rodgers had seen his play slump in recent weeks but completed 9-of-15 passes for 116 yards and a touchdown on Sunday in the first half before leaving the game.

He was replaced by backup Mason Rudolph. The Steelers offense only had two offensive series in the second half with Rudolph, but both of them resulted in points with the Steelers kicking a field goal on his first drive and scoring a touchdown on his second drive. He finished the game 12-of-16 passing for 127 yards and a touchdown.

Rudolph is in his second tenure with the Steelers and has started several games for the team throughout his career. They have shown an ability to win games with him in the past, as he owns an 8-4-1 record in his 13 starts with the team.

While his play on Sunday was limited, the offense did seem to be more efficient with him leading it. He also seemed to be more poised in the pocket and did not prematurely escape the way Rodgers has been.

If he does have to start the Nov. 23 game against the Chicago Bears (or more beyond that), it could result in the Steelers running more of their offense through their running backs, including Warren (assuming he is healthy) and Gainwell. That has been a winning formula for them this season.

Adam Gretz

Adam Gretz is a freelance writer based in Pittsburgh. He covers the NHL, NFL, MLB and NBA. Baseball is his favorite sport -- he is nearly halfway through his goal of seeing a game in every MLB ballpark. Catch him on Twitter @AGretz

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