bv. Will Howard Celebrates Return to Active Roster as Mike Tomlin Reveals His Potential Playing Time vs. Bengals This Sunday
Posted November 13, 2025
The Pittsburgh Steelers got an unexpected boost this week as rookie quarterback Will Howard was officially activated to the 53-man roster, marking the end of a long recovery stretch and the beginning of what fans hope will be his true NFL introduction.
With the team preparing for a critical rematch against the Cincinnati Bengals, Howard’s return arrives at exactly the right emotional moment for a locker room that has weathered injuries, inconsistency, and a frustrating loss to the Chargers.
This is Howard’s first chance to rejoin the active roster since fracturing the pinky on his throwing hand during training camp. It was a setback that stalled what had been one of the most promising rookie offseasons on the team, as the former Kansas State standout had impressed coaches with his command, toughness, and poise. Since then, he’s watched from the sideline as Aaron Rodgers carried the offense, while Mason Rudolph held down the QB2 role in his absence. And through all of it, Howard waited, worked, and refused to let the moment pass him by.
Now he finally gets to step back in. Speaking with reporters after practice, Howard didn’t hide what the moment meant to him:
“I’ve been waiting for this moment since the day I got hurt,”
he said. “Steelers Nation kept me going. I just want to make this city proud and show them I’m ready when my number is called.”
It’s the kind of line that hits perfectly in Pittsburgh, blue-collar, grateful, confident without being loud, exactly the kind of attitude fans fall in love with. And it didn’t take long for Steelers Nation to erupt online. The replies and comment sections exploded with support as fans called him “the future,” “the spark this offense needs,” and “the kid with heart.”
The move came as part of a mid-week roster shuffle that also brought cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. to the practice squad and led to the release of running back Trey Sermon. But make no mistake: Howard’s activation was the headline, the one that shifted the tone inside the building and lit up social media.
And then, late Wednesday, came the comment that sent the excitement even higher.
Mike Tomlin, speaking in his weekly availability, was asked whether Howard could see the field Sunday night against the Bengals. The coach didn’t hesitate.
“Yeah, we’re going to get him a few snaps,” Tomlin said. “The kid earned that shot.”
It’s not a promise of a full series, not a quarterback controversy, not anything beyond a glimpse, but for Steelers fans, it’s enough. After a week of criticism, questions, and frustration around the offense, there’s genuine optimism that the rookie’s energy could give Pittsburgh a different look, even if only for a handful of plays.
If Howard truly is the future, Sunday might be the first time Steelers fans get to see it with their own eyes. And inside the locker room, teammates know what it means. They watched him grind through rehab, watched him stay in meetings when he couldn’t practice, watched him stay locked in when the depth chart moved without him.
Now, finally, he gets his shot.
And for a fanbase hungry for hope, hungry for life on offense, hungry for something new, Will Howard’s return is arriving right on time.
