B79. STEELERS SHOCK ANNOUNCEMENT: ROOKIE QB WILL HOWARD RETURNS JUST IN TIME FOR CRITICAL BENGALS REMATCH — AND THE LOCKER ROOM JUST GOT LOUDER
The Pittsburgh Steelers walked into Week 11 needing answers. They walked out of Wednesday with something even better — a spark.
After weeks of uncertainty surrounding rookie quarterback Will Howard’s recovery, Pittsburgh officially activated him from the Reserve/Injured List, signaling his long-awaited return to the active roster. And the timing couldn’t be more dramatic, arriving just days before a high-stakes rematch with the Cincinnati Bengals.
For a season already filled with twists, this may be the one that changes everything.
Howard, drafted in the sixth round out of Ohio State, hasn’t taken an NFL snap yet after suffering a broken pinky on his throwing hand during training camp — a freak injury on a routine snap that left the Steelers scrambling for depth behind Aaron Rodgers and Mason Rudolph.
But now, that changes.
The Steelers, who have spent the entire season without an emergency third quarterback, finally get their insurance back — and according to team insiders, the coaching staff has been quietly optimistic about Howard’s upside. His resume speaks for itself: four years at Kansas State, a transfer to Ohio State, and a storybook finish leading the Buckeyes to a national championship.
Head coach Mike Tomlin has been cautious, but those around the team say Howard’s arm strength, football IQ, and steady improvement have made a strong impression.
And Pittsburgh might need every ounce of it.
Their first matchup with Cincinnati was a fireworks show — 64 points combined, a 33–31 track meet that exposed both teams’ defenses and turned the AFC North race into chaos. Now, as the Steelers attempt to close the gap in the standings, depth at quarterback suddenly matters a lot more.
Rodgers, in his first season in the black and gold, has been solid: 1,853 yards, 18 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. But he’s also taken hits, played through pain, and carried the offense through stretches where the run game disappeared completely. Having a healthy rookie behind him gives Pittsburgh breathing room they haven’t had since September.
The roster news didn’t stop there.
Pittsburgh also made several personnel moves, including signing cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. to the practice squad — a high-upside addition that raised eyebrows across the league. Samuel has starting experience, elite instincts, and a reputation for clutch play. If he sticks, the Steelers may have landed a steal.
Running back Trey Sermon was waived, and defensive back Darrick Forrest was released from the practice squad as the front office reshuffled depth in preparation for the season’s most crucial stretch.
But make no mistake: Will Howard is the headline.
The rookie took the practice field this week throwing clean spirals, moving confidently, and showing none of the hesitation often seen after hand injuries. Teammates reportedly greeted him with cheers — and a few good-natured jokes — as he returned to drills for the first time since summer.
The locker room knows what this means.
A young quarterback with championship pedigree. A veteran starter entering the toughest part of the schedule. A team battling inconsistency but still very much alive in the playoff race.
And now — finally — a safety net.
Howard isn’t expected to play Sunday. But his presence alone changes the picture. It gives Pittsburgh security. It gives Rodgers relief. And it gives the coaching staff flexibility as they prepare to face a Bengals team that has already proven it can go punch-for-punch.
The Steelers are 5–4. The division is wide open. And the season’s turning point may have arrived in the form of one quiet roster move made on an otherwise ordinary Wednesday afternoon.
The Bengals are waiting. The AFC North is tightening. The Steelers just got stronger.
And Will Howard is back.
