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The Pittsburgh Steelers announced Wednesday the team has activated quarterback Will Howard off injured reserve.
Barring injury, the Pittsburgh Steelers will have three quarterbacks, including rookie Will Howard, on their active roster for the remainder of the 2025 NFL season.
The Steelers announced Wednesday they activated Howard from injured reserve and placed him on the 53-man roster.
November 12 was the final day the team would have been able to activate Howard. The quarterback began his 21-day practice window on October 21.
Last week, Howard fully practiced ahead of the matchup versus the Los Angeles Chargers. However, the Steelers left him off the active roster, still on IR.
To create space for the rookie signal-caller, the Steelers waived running back Trey Sermon from the 53-man roster. Sermon has played in four games with Pittsburgh this season.
Week 11 will be the first time Howard dresses for an NFL game. The rookie quarterback missed the entire exhibition slate and the first 10 weeks of the regular season because of a hand injury.
Also on Wednesday, the Steelers officially announced signing cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. to their practice squad. On Tuesday, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler and other insiders reported the team was adding Samuel to their practice squad.
In a corresponding move, the Steelers released safety Darrick Forrest off the practice squad.
It would have been rather surprising if the Steelers allowed Howard’s practice window to expire without activating the quarterback. But the team did wait until the last moment to do that, leaving open the possibility that Howard wouldn’t return.
His activation doesn’t mean the rookie quarterback will play anytime soon. Aaron Rodgers has been healthy this season, and Mason Rudolph is firmly entrenched as the team’s backup quarterback.
But with his activation, Howard will continue to practice for the remainder of the 2025 campaign.
Practice isn’t the same as game experience. But the Steelers weren’t able to get a look at Howard in the preseason because of his hand injury, which he sustained during training camp in early August. So, Howard will have to settle for practice repetitions for now.
He should also continue to learn while watching Rodgers play. Depending on how the season ends and what happens next spring, Howard could be in a place to contend for more playing time during 2026.
To add both Howard and Samuel, the Steelers parted with two veterans — one on offense and another on defense.
Sermon, though, is likely a candidate to return to the team’s practice squad if he clears waivers. The Steelers just signed the running back to the active roster prior to Week 10.
In four games, Sermon played just one offensive snap for Pittsburgh. But he provided running back depth and helped return kickoffs.
The Steelers added Forrest at the end of October when starting safety DeShon Elliott landed on injured reserve. Although Elliott isn’t coming back, the team also acquired Kyle Dugger from the New England Patriots at about the same time and moved cornerback Jalen Ramsey to safety.
The team also brought back undrafted rookie safety Sebastian Castro on Monday.
With less of a need at safety, the Steelers moved on from Forrest to take a bit of a flier on Samuel.
As the Seattle Seahawks prepare to face off against his former team, the Los Angeles Rams, Cooper Kupp is keeping his focus squarely on the game at hand, dismissing any notion of getting distracted by the buzz surrounding a potential tribute video. Kupp, who spent several iconic seasons with the Rams, has firmly set his sights on one goal: victory for Seattle.
With his return to SoFi Stadium looming, rumors have swirled that the Rams may honor their Super Bowl MVP with a tribute video before the game. While some would be flattered by such recognition, Kupp is not one to rest on past accomplishments. His response to the tribute talk was straightforward and fierce:
This no-nonsense attitude is a testament to Kupp’s professional mindset and his commitment to the present. Despite his storied history with the Rams, where he earned multiple accolades, including the Super Bowl title and MVP honors, Kupp is focused on the here and now with the Seahawks. His journey has taken a dramatic turn after signing a lucrative contract with Seattle in March, and he’s determined to make his mark in a new chapter of his career.
Putting the Past Behind Him
While Kupp expressed nothing but gratitude for his time with the Rams, he made it clear that his attention is on the future. “I’ll always respect the Rams for what we accomplished together, but now I’m focused on Seattle. It’s about what’s next, not what’s behind me,” Kupp explained.
This shift in focus is crucial for the Seahawks, as they look to Kupp to help elevate their offense and push for playoff contention. After joining Seattle with high expectations, Kupp’s performance will be under intense scrutiny. But if there’s one thing that’s certain, it’s that he isn’t letting anything sidetrack him — not even a potential tribute video from his former team.
The Rivalry Takes Center Stage
For the Rams, the possibility of a tribute video is a way to honor a player who played a pivotal role in their championship run. However, as Kupp so clearly stated, this game is about more than sentiment. It’s a battle on the field, and the focus must be on the outcome. The Seahawks are hungry for a win, and Kupp is more determined than ever to deliver for his new team.
A Message to His Critics
Kupp’s comments also serve as a reminder of his unwavering commitment to his craft. While the NFL world may be captivated by the narrative of his return to Los Angeles, Kupp’s singular focus on winning speaks volumes about his competitive nature. He’s not here to bask in past glory; he’s here to lead the Seahawks to victory and prove that he’s still one of the league’s top wide receivers.
As the game approaches, all eyes will be on Kupp. The story of his return to the Rams will inevitably generate headlines, but Kupp is determined to make sure the headline at the end of the day reads: