By late July, Will Howard was no longer just the fourth quarterback in Steelers camp. The sixth-round rookie had quietly leapfrogged into third-team reps, turning heads with a steady command in drills. But his summer script just got ripped up. During Aug. 4 practice at Saint Vincent College, Howard’s day derailed on a routine quarterback-center exchange. Just a fumbled moment that left his throwing-hand pinky fractured. The injury will sideline the rookie for the entire preseason.
Still, Howard’s making it clear he’s not checking out mentally. “I know I’m a rookie, but I’m still trying to be a part of this journey,” he said. “Especially this preseason with my guys that, we are all rookies and all the young guys that are getting all these reps.” The sixth-round pick had been earning more snaps before the injury. Missing them now stings. “Like, it hurts me that I’m not out there, but I’m trying to stay as involved as I can be. And I could probably be better about staying more involved and just trying to get as many mental reps as I possibly can”
Will Howard on dealing with his injury: “And for me, I know I’m a rookie, but I’m still trying to be a part of this journey, especially this preseason with my guys that, we are all rookies and all the young guys that are getting all these reps. Like, it hurts me that I’m not out…
— Steelers Depot 7⃣ (@Steelersdepot) August 12, 2025
He’s leaning into that adjustment, knowing the temptation is to sulk. “Trying to make that an emphasis this week because it’s easy when you have something like this happen…it sucks. You know? It’s brutal. But you gotta…be a man and step up and just continue to learn and grow every day regardless of the situation.”
This is a developing story. Stay Tuned!
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