The Pittsburgh Steelers are expected to place quarterback Will Howard on injured reserve to start the season after suffering a broken hand in August and missing the entire preseason. With Howard on IR, he would be unavailable for at least the first four games of the year, a move that would clear a roster spot for another option to push for playing time early on.
Coach Mike Tomlin has said Howard is making progress, with hand specialists giving positive reviews, his activity level increasing, and adjustments to his brace helping him move toward full participation soon. If the move to IR goes through, Skylar Thompson could stand to gain a closer look as the Steelers weigh their QB depth behind the starter and incumbent backup.
Howard is in his first season with Pittsburgh after being drafted in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. A Pennsylvania native and former Ohio State star, he led the Buckeyes to a national title last season and posted notable numbers: 4,010 passing yards, 35 touchdowns, and a 73.1 percent completion rate during his standout campaign.
Implications for the Steelers include a clearer path for Thompson to earn more reps and for the coaching staff to gauge his readiness in real-game scenarios while Howard recovers. If Thompson performs well in practices and any early-season opportunities, Pittsburgh could have a clearer sense of its long-term quarterback depth plan even before Howard’s status is fully resolved.
Bottom-line: The situation creates an early-season window for Thompson to show what he can do behind a veteran starter, while the Steelers monitor Howard’s recovery and explore options to sustain quarterback depth in the opening weeks.
Summary: Will Howard’s injury situates Skylar Thompson in the spotlight as the Steelers navigate quarterback depth while Howard works through recovery, with his college-ready pedigree underscoring the potential upside for the team if he earns a bigger role down the line. Positive signs from Tomlin about Howard’s progress keep the door open for a return earlier than anticipated, should health cooperate.