The Pittsburgh Steelers may be facing significant discipline from the NFL after growing concerns that Head Coach Mike Tomlin downplayed and potentially misreported the severity of Aaron Rodgers’ wrist injury leading up to the Week 12 loss against the Chicago Bears. League officials are reportedly reviewing inconsistencies between Tomlin’s public comments, internal medical evaluations, and the team’s formal injury reports.
Attention intensified when Tomlin initially stated that Rodgers did not require extensive practice time to be ready to play. He later reversed course after the loss to Chicago, creating confusion among reporters and prompting questions about whether the Steelers accurately described Rodgers’ status throughout the week.
Under NFL policy, teams must provide clear and truthful injury designations. Any misrepresentation, whether intentional or due to negligence, is subject to financial penalties. Standard fines typically range from 75.000 to 100.000 USD for a first violation by the team, while head coaches may face individual fines of approximately 25.000 USD.
The league has punished similar violations in recent seasons. On October 31, 2025, the Baltimore Ravens were fined 100.000 USD for inaccurately listing Lamar Jackson as a full practice participant despite a hamstring issue leading into Week 8 against the Chicago Bears. That case was ruled negligent rather than intentional. The Ravens did not lose draft picks but were formally warned and required to correct internal reporting procedures.
If the NFL determines the Steelers knowingly obscured Rodgers’ injury severity, the consequences could escalate. Intentional deception can lead to increased financial penalties, repeat offender designations, or in rare cases, forfeiture of draft compensation. At minimum, Pittsburgh is expected to face formal scrutiny.
Rodgers suffered a fractured left wrist in Week 11 and was ruled out for Week 12. Yet public statements throughout the week indicated he was trending toward availability. The discrepancy between those comments and Rodgers’ actual medical evaluations prompted questions that Steelers insiders and national reporters pressed Tomlin to clarify.
League officials have not announced a timeline for a ruling. However, any potential discipline could arrive before the Steelers face the Buffalo Bills in Week 13. The uncertainty adds to Pittsburgh’s challenges as the team attempts to stabilize its season after falling to 6-5.
The Steelers declined to comment on the possibility of league action but reiterated that all injury information submitted last week was accurate and compliant with NFL rules. The NFL’s investigation will determine whether that statement holds up under formal review.
If the league confirms misreporting, the Steelers could join the growing list of teams penalized for improper injury disclosures. The situation underscores how tightly the NFL monitors injury transparency and how quickly inconsistencies can trigger disciplinary review.
