Steelers Open Howard Window as Rodgers Eyes Retirement

The Pittsburgh Steelers have opened rookie sixth-round quarterback Will Howard’s 21-day practice window, giving him until Nov. 12 to be activated from injured reserve after a training-camp finger/hand injury or remain on IR for the season. Howard, a former Kansas State and Ohio State starter who won a national championship in college, will get three weeks of practice to make his case as a potential long-term successor to Aaron Rodgers or as a QB3. Pittsburgh released practice-squad QB Logan Woodside and has used only one of its designated IR returns, allowing the team to evaluate Howard without immediately committing a 53-man roster spot. The move comes as the Steelers, 4-2, saw their secondary exposed in a Thursday loss to the Bengals — including a career game by Ja’Marr Chase — prompting former GM Doug Whaley to urge the team to add a defensive back and consider benching Juan Thornhill and Darius Slay. The QB evaluation takes on added urgency after Aaron Rodgers has said he intends to retire after the season, increasing scrutiny of Pittsburgh’s long-term plan at the position.