Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers to Start vs. Bills Despite Three Wrist Fractures—Shocking Update

Pittsburgh — Aaron Rodgers is officially back in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ lineup, and he’s doing it with “at least three” fractures in his non-throwing left wrist just 14 days after the initial injury. Head coach Mike Tomlin confirmed that the 41-year-old quarterback cleared all medical hurdles late Friday and will start Sunday’s pivotal Week 13 road clash against the Buffalo Bills, a game with major AFC playoff implications. Rodgers sat out last week’s loss to the Chicago Bears while backup Mason Rudolph filled in, but team doctors say a custom-fit brace and a full week of pain-free practice make the four-time MVP “game-ready.” Rodgers enters Sunday needing just 79 passing yards to become the fifth quarterback in NFL history to reach 65,000, a milestone that has amplified fan interest around Acrisure Stadium and across search engines. Key storylines fans are searching for: • Injury management: Rodgers practiced with a reinforced glove that limits lateral motion of the wrist yet preserves grip strength, a setup similar to Drew Brees’ 2019 thumb brace. • Playoff race: Pittsburgh (6-5) has seen its AFC North lead trimmed to half a game; Buffalo (7-4) currently holds the top wild-card spot, turning this matchup into a de facto tiebreaker. • Supporting cast: Wideout DK Metcalf (ankle) and pass-rusher Alex Highsmith (pectoral) were also cleared, giving Pittsburgh a near-full arsenal for the first time since Week 9. What to expect vs. Bills Buffalo ranks fourth in defensive pressure rate, but Rodgers has been sacked just once every 18 drop-backs this season, the NFL’s best mark among starters. Look for Pittsburgh to open with quick-game concepts—slants to Metcalf and Najee Harris swing passes—designed to minimize hits on Rodgers’ injured wrist. If the Steelers jump ahead early, expect more two-tight-end sets featuring Pat Freiermuth to pound the league’s 25th-ranked run defense. Fantasy and betting impact Rodgers’ return spikes projected passing volume for the entire offense; sportsbooks moved the Steelers from +3.5 to +1.5 after Friday’s clearance. Fantasy managers in tight playoff hunts should monitor in-game updates, but Rodgers’ historical 108.7 passer rating in cold-weather games bodes well for a high-floor start. Bottom line Aaron Rodgers playing through multiple fractures isn’t just a gutsy headline—it’s a season-defining twist for a Steelers team clinging to postseason hopes. Expect elevated national attention, higher keyword traffic, and a playoff atmosphere in Orchard Park as Rodgers tries to cement yet another chapter in his Hall-of-Fame résumé.