INJURY UPDATE: Star QB Aaron Rodgers Activated to the 53-Man Roster – Head Coach Mike Tomlin Confirms First Major Scheme Change in Three Seasons
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – 12/06/2025
The Pittsburgh Steelers received one of their most significant boosts of the season as QB Aaron Rodgers was officially activated to the 53-man roster ahead of the pivotal Week 14 showdown against the Baltimore Ravens. After three weeks recovering from a fractured left wrist, Rodgers has passed all medical evaluations and is cleared to play — a turning point the Steelers desperately needed at this critical stage.
But the headline isn’t just Rodgers’ return. Head coach Mike Tomlin confirmed that with Rodgers healthy, the Steelers will implement their first major schematic shift in three seasons, signaling a meaningful philosophical change in the team’s offensive approach.

Tomlin noted that over the last 48 hours, the coaching staff has worked intensively to adjust the playbook to accommodate Rodgers’ wrist condition while opening up concepts Pittsburgh hasn’t used since acquiring him.
“When you get Aaron back, you can’t keep playing the same way,” Tomlin said. “This is the first time in three years we’ve had the personnel to expand our offensive structure — and we’re going to do it. The priority is putting Aaron in the best position to do what only a handful of players in history can do.”
Rodgers first suffered the fracture in Week 11 against the Cincinnati Bengals, forcing him to miss the following game. In Week 13, he returned but was clearly limited, completing just 10 of 21 passes with a 65.0 passer rating. Still, Rodgers emphasized that his wrist has improved significantly after an additional week of rest, saying he is “more than ready” for a matchup that could define the AFC North race.
His return injects renewed life into a Steelers team sitting at 6–6 and fighting to stay in the playoff hunt. The upcoming schematic shift — which includes faster tempo, expanded RPO elements, and increased use of motion — is designed to help Rodgers manage the ball with greater efficiency while reducing strain on the healing wrist.
This isn’t just a personnel update. It’s a statement from the Steelers that their ambitions remain intact. And with Rodgers back, the next chapter of the 2025 season may be about to unfold in an entirely different way.













