Who Should I Start? Will Howard or Kurtis Rourke

Tuesday, November 18, 5:08 PM

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said "we'll see" when asked about rookie quarterback Will Howard receiving first-team reps during the week, with Aaron Rodgers (wrist) likely sidelined for their Week 12 matchup against the Chicago Bears. Rodgers has not yet been ruled out for Sunday's game, but he won't practice on Wednesday, and Friday will be the key day for his gameday status. Mason Rudolph is expected to start if Rodgers can't go, but his absence may open up an opportunity for Howard to work with the starting offense during practice. The rookie sixth-rounder out of Ohio State was activated from injured reserve last week after suffering a hand injury before the start of the season. Howard produced big-time numbers in his final collegiate season with the Buckeyes, throwing for 4,010 yards with 35 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 16 games and leading them to a national championship. If Rudolph struggles, we could see Howard make his NFL debut in Week 12.

Wednesday, July 16, 1:31 PM

San Francisco 49ers rookie seventh-round quarterback Kurtis Rourke (knee) will begin training camp this summer on the Non-Football Injury list after the team's rookies reported to camp on Tuesday. In addition, second-round rookie defensive tackle Alfred Collins has yet to report while being one of the many second-round picks this year that have yet to sign their rookie deals. The 24-year-old Rourke played through a torn ACL in his final collegiate season in 2024 at Indiana, but he will not be ready to practice with the Niners when training camp kicks off next week. When Rourke is cleared to participate in practices, he'll merely be competing for the No. 3 QB role in San Fran behind starter Brock Purdy and backup Mac Jones. The 49ers also have Tanner Mordecai on roster at the QB position this year.