Overview

• Medical exams confirmed that Howard fractured a small bone in his right throwing hand during a center snap exchange and will miss at least three weeks without needing surgery.
• His absence rules him out of all three 2025 preseason games, depriving the sixth-round pick of crucial live reps to compete for the backup role behind Aaron Rodgers.
• Mason Rudolph has moved into the primary backup spot in camp drills while Skylar Thompson has absorbed third-team work in Howard’s stead.
• Head coach Mike Tomlin described the injury as non-surgical and week-to-week, with the coaching staff monitoring progress before considering any timetable adjustments.
• Aaron Rodgers called this a growth year for Howard and encouraged the rookie to learn from watching veterans until he regains full health.