Steelers Rookie QB Howard Suffers Throwing Hand Injury During Practice

Pittsburgh Steelers rookie quarterback Will Howard sustained a right-hand injury during a center-quarterback exchange in a Tuesday practice, potentially delaying his preseason debut against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Howard, the team's third-string quarterback and a sixth-round draft pick from Ohio State, left practice early and will be further evaluated, with no official update yet on the severity or his status for the upcoming game. The injury is believed to affect his throwing hand, raising concerns about its impact on his throwing mechanics and readiness, although some reports suggest it may not be serious. Howard had been steadily climbing the depth chart and was expected to play significant snaps in the preseason opener to prepare for his first NFL season. In his absence, backup quarterbacks Mason Rudolph and Skylar Thompson are expected to take on larger roles for the game. Howard has been a fan favorite during training camp, garnering significant attention and support from Steelers fans.