The Steelers wrapped up their preparation for Sunday's game against the Chicago Bears and Coach Mike Tomlin said quarterback Aaron Rodgers is questionable.
Rodgers broke a bone in his left wrist in the first half of last Sunday's win over the Cincinnati Bengals.
He missed practice on Wednesday and returned in a limited fashion on Thursday and Friday.
"I thought I saw a solid effort, but it's Friday, so we've still got some time," said Tomlin. "He was listed as a partial participant and given a questionable designation. And we'll see where the weekend leads us."
Tomlin said he personally won't make any determination on Rodgers' status before the game, leaving that up to the medical team.
"I won't do anything," said Tomlin. "I'm not a medical expert or Aaron. We'll see.
"It's non-surgical. As soon as they secure it and know that he can protect himself they will be comfortable."
Tomlin was asked if he feels comfortable with what he has seen from Rodgers.
"I'm not in the comfort business," said Tomlin.
If Rodgers can't go, it would be Mason Rudolph who gets the start against the Bears. Tomlin was asked what goes into the decision making when you have someone like Rodgers who is experienced but not 100 percent and a solid backup like Rudolph.
"It's thoughtful decision making you go through almost routinely, particularly this time of year when you get into the meat of things," said Tomlin.
Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith said dealing with the uncertain situation this week at the quarterback spot is nothing unusual in the NFL.
"I think it's just like any situation. I've been in these a few times, and that's why you always have to have contingency plans," said Smith. "It's my job to be ready either way. We got in a similar situation last year with Russ (Wilson) and Justin (Fields) in Week 1, and it's our job to adapt.
"That's why I give Mason a lot of credit. People talk about being a pro, but that's a sign of a real pro because Mason does a good job preparing every week. You're always one play away. You always hear these hypotheticals. He was ready to roll and did a really nice job."
Linebacker Alex Highsmith, who missed the Bengals game with a pectoral injury, said he is improving but he is listed as doubtful for Sunday.
"I feel much better," said Highsmith. "I'm really optimistic about this weekend. We'll see what happens. I know they want to get me out there when I'm ready. I'm feeling good, but we'll see what happens.
"It's frustrating. I do a lot for my body. I do a lot to make sure I'm prepared for the game, to make sure I don't get hurt. It's just trusting the Lord's plan. I am trying to be the best teammate, dominate rehab the best I can and dominate what I can control.
"I am antsy to get back on the field."
Cornerback Darius Slay returned to practice this week after missing the Bengals game while in concussion protocol and is questionable.
Coach Mike Tomlin said when Slay returns he would be back in the starting lineup, but the plan is to also keep cornerback James Pierre involved as he has stepped up big the last few weeks.
"I think obviously J.P. has done a heck of a job when he's stepped in for Slay," said defensive coordinator Teryl Austin. "He's been around. He's done that before. But I think, again, when you have Slay, we have some veteran experience.
"I think what we'll do is we'll see how that works out, and in terms of where we want to utilize J.P. because I think he's earned the right to be on the field, and we'll just go from there.
"It's not surprising. The way James worked, he's always been that way. If you guys remember, he was a COVID baby. We didn't see James until he got here during the COVID year at camp, and all he did when he got here was he just made a play daily in camp and then we kept him and he was one of the few guys as a free agent that made a roster that year.
"So, the way he's worked and prepared himself, I think each year he's gotten better. So that's why in his sixth or seventh year he's playing a lot better in terms of when he does get an opportunity, and I think a lot of that is time on task and the way the guy works and the way he prepares, and that's why he's having some success."
Earlier this week a decision had to be made on cornerback Cory Trice Jr., and he is remaining on the Reserve/Injured List for the remainder of the season.
Trice was originally placed on the Reserve/Injured List in August, but also injured his knee after returning to practice in late October.
This is the third straight year Trice has been on the Reserve/Injured list in just three years in the league.
"It stinks for him," said Austin. "He's such a great young man. He works his tail off. He was always here just working.
"He's had a setback his first year, and he came back. It just stinks to see a guy that pours so much into it not have an opportunity to get out on the field and have some success because he was working that way, he was trending that way, and injuries just set him back.
"But that's kind of the nature of our business. Sometimes there's a lot of guys that are really good and talented and have the ability to play in this league that don't make it because of injuries. I think he's just been set back, and he's in here working already, trying to plot his next comeback, and I applaud him for it because I know he'll make it."
The full practice and status report is below.
Pittsburgh Steelers Participation/Injury Report, Week 12
Game Status
No. 8 QB Aaron Rodgers (Left Wrist) - Questionable
No. 23 CB Darius Slay (Concussion) - Questionable
No. 56 LB Alex Highsmith (Pectoral) - Doubtful
No. 97 DT Cameron Heyward (NIR - Rest/Ankle) - Questionable
Friday, November 21
No. 4 WR DK Metcalf (NIR - Rest) - DNP
No. 8 QB Aaron Rodgers (Left Wrist) - Limited
No. 23 CB Darius Slay (Concussion/NIR - Rest) - Limited
No. 30 RB Jaylen Warren (Ankle) - Full
No. 55 LB Cole Holcomb (Illness) - Full
No. 56 LB Alex Highsmith (Pectoral) - Limited
No. 73 G Isaac Seumalo (Pectoral/NIR - Rest) - DNP
No. 81 TE Jonnu Smith (NIR - Rest) - Full
No. 85 WR Ke'Shawn Williams (Concussion) - Full
No. 90 LB T.J. Watt (NIR - Rest) - Full
No. 97 DT Cameron Heyward (NIR - Rest/Ankle) - Limited
Thursday, November 20
No. 8 QB Aaron Rodgers (Left Wrist) - Limited
No. 23 CB Darius Slay (Concussion) - Full
No. 30 RB Jaylen Warren (Ankle) - Limited
No. 55 LB Cole Holcomb (Illness) - Full
No. 56 LB Alex Highsmith (Pectoral) - Limited
No. 73 G Isaac Seumalo (Pectoral) - Limited
No. 81 TE Jonnu Smith (NIR - Rest) - Full
No. 85 WR Ke'Shawn Williams (Concussion) - Full
No. 90 LB T.J. Watt (NIR - Rest) - Full
No. 97 DT Cameron Heyward (NIR - Rest) - DNP
Wednesday, November 19
No. 8 QB Aaron Rodgers (Left Wrist) - DNP
No. 23 CB Darius Slay (Concussion) - Full
No. 30 RB Jaylen Warren (Ankle) - DNP
No. 55 LB Cole Holcomb (Illness) - Full
No. 56 LB Alex Highsmith (Pectoral) - DNP
No. 73 G Isaac Seumalo (Pectoral) - Limited
No. 81 TE Jonnu Smith (NIR - Rest) - DNP
No. 85 WR Ke'Shawn Williams (Concussion) - Limited
No. 90 LB T.J. Watt (NIR - Rest) - DNP
No. 97 DT Cameron Heyward (NIR - Rest) - DNP
Chicago Bears Participation/Injury Report, Week 12
Game Status
No. 9 DB Jaquan Brisker (Shoulder) - Questionable
No. 49 LB Tremaine Edmunds (Groin) - Out
No. 53 LB T.J. Edwards (Hand/Hamstring) - Out
No. 44 LB Noah Sewell (Elbow) - Out
* No. 6 DB Kyler Gordon (Calf) - Questionable
No. 21 RB Travis Homer (Hamstring/Knee) - Out
* No. 1 DB Jaylon Johnson (Groin) - Questionable
No. 23 RB Roschon Johnson (Thumb) - Out
No. 79 OL Theo Benedet (Quad) - Questionable
Friday, November 21
No. 9 DB Jaquan Brisker (Shoulder) - Full
No. 31 DB Kevin Byard III (NIR - Rest) - Full
No. 49 LB Tremaine Edmunds (Groin) - DNP
No. 53 LB T.J. Edwards (Hand/Hamstring) - DNP
No. 50 DL Grady Jarrett (NIR - Rest) - Full
No. 44 LB Noah Sewell (Elbow) - DNP
No. 52 OL Drew Dalman (Knee) - Full
* No. 6 DB Kyler Gordon (Calf) - Full
No. 21 RB Travis Homer (Hamstring/Knee) - DNP
* No. 1 DB Jaylon Johnson (Groin) - Full
No. 29 DB Tyrique Stevenson (Hip/Calf) - Full
No. 4 RB D'Andre Swift (Hip) - Full
No. 58 OL Darnell Wright (Pectoral/Hip) - Full
No. 23 RB Roschon Johnson (Thumb) - DNP
No. 62 OL Joe Thuney (NIR - Rest) - Full
No. 79 OL Theo Benedet (Quad) - Limited
* in the 21-day window designated to return from Injured Reserve
Thursday, November 20
No. 9 DB Jaquan Brisker (Shoulder) - Full
No. 31 DB Kevin Byard III (NIR - Rest) - Full
No. 49 LB Tremaine Edmunds (Groin) - DNP
No. 53 LB T.J. Edwards (Hand/Hamstring) - DNP
No. 50 DL Grady Jarrett (NIR - Rest) - Full
No. 44 LB Noah Sewell (Elbow) - DNP
No. 52 OL Drew Dalman (Knee) - Limited
* No. 6 DB Kyler Gordon (Calf) - Limited
No. 21 RB Travis Homer (Hamstring/Knee) - DNP
* No. 1 DB Jaylon Johnson (Groin) - Full
No. 29 DB Tyrique Stevenson (Hip/Calf) - Limited
No. 4 RB D'Andre Swift (Hip) - Full
No. 58 OL Darnell Wright (Pectoral/Hip) - Limited
No. 23 RB Roschon Johnson (Thumb) - DNP
No. 62 OL Joe Thuney (NIR - Rest) - DNP
No. 79 OL Theo Benedet (Quad) - Limited
* in the 21-day window designated to return from Injured Reserve
Wednesday, November 19
No. 9 DB Jaquan Brisker (Shoulder) - DNP
No. 31 DB KevinByard III (NIR - Rest) - DNP
No. 49 LB Tremaine Edmunds (Groin) - DNP
No. 53 LB T.J. Edwards (Hand/Hamstring) - DNP
No. 50 DL Grady Jarrett (NIR - Rest) - DNP
No. 44 LB Noah Sewell (Elbow) - DNP
No. 52 OL Drew Dalman (Knee) - Limited
* No. 6 DB Kyler Gordon (Calf) - Limited
No. 21 RB Travis Homer (Hamstring/Knee) - Limited
* No. 1 DB Jaylon Johnson (Groin) - Limited
No. 29 DB Tyrique Stevenson (Hip/Calf) - Limited
No. 4 RB D'Andre Swift (Hip) - Limited
No. 58 OL Darnell Wright (Pectoral) - Limited
* in the 21-day window designated to return from Injured Reserve
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