Is Aaron Rodgers playing tonight? Latest news on Steelers QB's status for preseason Week 2

Mike Moraitis

Is Aaron Rodgers playing tonight? Latest news on Steelers QB's status for preseason Week 2 image

Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Pittsburgh Steelers will play their second of three preseason games on Saturday night when they host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Acrisure Stadium.

In their preseason Week 1 contest, the Steelers did not play their starters, which meant we didn't get to see the debut of veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who was signed to replace Russell Wilson as the team's starter.

But will we get our first opportunity to see Rodgers taking snaps for the Steelers in preseason Week 2 against the Buccaneers? Here's what we know.

Is Aaron Rodgers playing tonight?

No, Aaron Rodgers will not be suiting up for the Steelers on Saturday night.

Head coach Mike Tomlin announced on Thursday that he would be going with the same approach as preseason Week 1, when Rodgers and the starters sat.

"I'm going to play this preseason game very much like we did the first one," he said. "In terms of participation, the same collection of guys that were held out the last time will comprise the guys that are held out this time."

Will Aaron Rodgers play this preseason?

Rodgers has said he is down to play some preseason snaps, but he is leaving that up to his head coach.

"It's an interesting conversation. I think Mike and I have that at some point. I don't think it's in the plan for me to play this week, but whatever Mike wants to do, I'm fully on board," Rodgers said before preseason Week 1.

The Steelers will play their final preseason game on Aug. 21.

If Rodgers doesn't play any snaps next week, we'll have to wait for the regular-season opener on Sept. 7 to see him under center.

It wouldn't be the worst idea to get Rodgers some preseason snaps. After all, he is in a new offense and is throwing to receivers he hasn't played with in an actual contest before.

On the flip side, there is the risk of injury for the Steelers to worry about, and that's especially true with a 41-year-old quarterback. Rodgers has enough experience to not play in the preseason and still be fine for Week 1.

With Rodgers not playing and Will Howard still sidelined by injury, Mason Rudolph and Skylar Thompson will get the nod on Saturday night.

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Mike Moraitis

Mike Moraitis is a freelance writer who covers the NFL for the Sporting News. Over his nearly two decades covering sports, Mike has also worked for Bleacher Report, USA TODAY and FanSided. He hates writing in the third person.