Aaron Rodgers injury update: Steelers QB dealing with pain, admits fractured wrist not 100% recovered ahead of Lions game

Aaron Rodgers has been doing what he has done for most of his career: playing through pain without making excuses. But as the Pittsburgh Steelers get ready for a crucial Week 16 matchup against the Detroit Lions, the veteran quarterback finally offered a more honest look at how his body is holding up.
Rodgers fractured his left wrist back in Week 11 during a win over the Cincinnati Bengals. Since then, he has stayed on the field, helped stabilize the Steelers’ offense, and kept the team in the playoff picture. On the surface, the results look encouraging. Underneath, though, the injury is still very much part of his daily routine. While speaking this week, Rodgers admitted that his recovery is still incomplete, even though he has started practising without a brace.

Aaron Rodgers explains where his wrist stands heading into Week 16

Aaron Rodgers explained that the recovery process has been slower than he would like and that the wrist still limits him in certain situations.
"It's still not 100%," Rodgers said via ESPN's Brooke Pryor. "I've been having battles with the training staff — happy battles, not knock-down drag-out battles — trying to feel more normal. To go through practice today without anything on my wrist, I'm still not without some pain with certain movements. But I'm trying to get the strength back in all those little muscles that have been unused for a number of weeks. It's a work in progress (sic)."
Despite that, Rodgers’ recent performances have been strong. Over the past two games, he has thrown for 508 yards, added three touchdowns, and avoided interceptions altogether. He has also completed at least 65 percent of his passes in both outings, showing that his accuracy and decision-making remain sharp.
The big question now is whether Rodgers will take the field against Detroit without any protection on his wrist. That decision could come down to how much discomfort he can manage and how the wrist responds late in the week. Either way, the Steelers know they are asking him to operate while less than fully healthy.
At this point in the season, that is nothing new for experienced quarterbacks. Rodgers understands the balance between recovery and availability, and Pittsburgh is trusting his judgment. Even if the wrist is not fully healed, the Steelers believe his presence gives them their best chance as they push toward the final stretch of the season.
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