Aaron Rodgers’ status for Sunday’s matchup between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Buffalo Bills has been confirmed, and the way he has dealt with the situation has made a mark on his teammatesAaron Rodgers will play through the pain on SundayAaron Rodgers will play through the pain on Sunday(Image: Ben Hsu/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Aaron Rodgers’ standing in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ locker room has only increased after it emerged that the four-time MVP will play through a gruesome injury against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday.

Rodgers missed last week’s defeat to the Chicago Bears due to a fractured wrist, but he is set to start against the Bills (7-4) at Accrisure Stadium on Sunday. The news is a welcome boost for a Steelers team (6-5) that holds a half-game lead over the Baltimore Ravens at the top of the AFC North heading into the business end of the season.

The 41-year-old had hoped to play through the pain against the Bears — a franchise he dominated throughout his time as a Green Bay Packer — but he had to watch from the sidelines as backup quarterback Mason Rudolph and the Steelers fell to a 31-28 defeat. Earlier in the day, Rodgers had made his presence known at Soldier Field by flipping his middle finger at TV cameras.

READ MORE: 49ers star hit with harsh punishment by NFL after being punched in groinREAD MORE: NFL legend ‘alive and well’ as family forced to deny claims he has died

Rodgers, who suffered the injury in the Week 11 win over the Cincinnati Bengals, did not participate in Wednesday’s practice session due to his left wrist injury, but he was a full participant on Thursday and Friday. And with the injury being to his non-throwing hand, he has been given the green light to return to action on Sunday.

According to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport, Rodgers’ toughness and determination to play have been well-received in the Steelers’ locker room.

Rapoport revealed in the early hours of Sunday morning that Rodgers has “at least three fractures” in his left wrist, including one that is a “more consequential break that can only happen with significant force.”

Aaron Rodgers may have suffered a 'small crack' in his non-throwing wrist.Rodgers suffered the injury in the Week 11 win against the Bengals(Image: 2025 Michael Owens)

One-time Super Bowl champion Rodgers already had the respect of his teammates, despite character concerns heading after signing as a free agent ahead of this season, owing to the series of unwanted headlines he created during recent seasons with the Packers and New York Jets.

Per Rapoport, Rodgers’ standing in the locker room has only been elevated by the way he has coped with a nasty injury, showing he is willing to play through pain for the good of his team.

“He was a full participant today with no designation for the game, So it’s all systems go,” head coach Mike Tomlin said at his media availability on Friday.

READ MORE: How Baker Mayfield, Chris Olave, Daniel Jones injuries impact fantasy football in NFL Week 13READ MORE: How Amon-Ra St. Brown’s ankle injury impacts fantasy football playoffs strategy

Explaining how Rodgers’ condition has improved over the past week, Tomlin said: “Just more reps certainly, but certainly it’s another week. And so I’m sure there’s more comfort there, not only in him, but in the medical experts.”

It is not all good news for the Steelers on the injury front, though. Left tackle Broderick Jones has been placed on injured reserve and will be out until at least Week 17 due to a neck issue.

Andrus Peat, a former first-round pick for the New Orleans Saints, is set to deputise for Jones as Rodgers’ blindside blocker. Calvin Anderson, who can play on both sides of the offensive line, could also see some playing time in Jones’ absence.