Last year as a rookie, Steelers quarterback Will Howard suffered a fractured hand in early August that kept him out of the team’s preseason games.
That’s part of why it’s understandable that Howard — a sixth-round pick in the 2025 draft — is so excited to get his first pro exhibition opportunity this week when the Steelers host the Packers on Thursday night.
“I’m so fired up. I can’t wait for the game,” Howard said, via video from Mark Kaboly. “Obviously, I’m trying to take it day by day, and it’s still camp. But, sometimes you can’t help but look forward a little bit and start getting excited just to be out there and [get] live game reps — because I haven’t played in over a year in live game reps. I think the last time was the national championship. So, I’ve been champing at the bit for a while to get out there with the guys in a real game-like setting — uniform on, helmet on.
“I just can’t wait. I think tomorrow we’re going to start looking at Green Bay a little bit, do some planning a little bit. I’m just really, really excited.”
Howard added, via Chris Adamski of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, that he’s expecting to play “a good amount” on Thursday night. But to this point, head coach Mike McCarthy hasn’t set out definitive plans.
No matter how long he’s out there, Howard is going to find Thursday night’s experience meaningful.
“I know everyone says preseason isn’t real football,” Howard said, “but to me, it is.”
