Mason Rudolph will not start for the Steelers against the Browns Sunday in Pittsburgh meaning the principle parties in the Nov. 14 brawl will not be on the field for a rematch.
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin announced Tuesday that Delvin Hodges will start for Rudolph, who was benched in the third quarter of Pittsburgh’s 16-10 win at Cincinnati on Sunday.
“The decision is clear for us and some really clear reasons why,” Tomlin said. “Like I talked about after the game, I thought he provided us a spark in game. I'm hopeful he's capable of continuing to provide that spark as we step into this stadium.”
Hodges completed 5 of 11 passes for 118 yards, including a 79-yar touchdown to James Washington that provided the difference in Pittsburgh’s win. The undrafted rookie out of Samford started in the Steelers’ 24-17 win over the Chargers and has completed 27 of 40 passes for 318 yards with 2 touchdowns and an interception.
Rudolph threw 4 interceptions in the Steelers’ 21-7 loss to the Browns less than 2 weeks ago in Cleveland prompting Richardson to say, “I hope he plays” after Cleveland’s 41-24 win over Miami. When asked why Richardson responded, “Did you see him last game?”
Rudolph managed to escape a suspension for trying to rip Myles Garrett’s helmet off him in the closing seconds and then charging at the Browns defensive end other than a $50,000 fine. Garrett responded by tearing Rudolph’s helmet off and then hitting the QB in the head with it.
Garrett was suspended indefinitely without pay, a decision that was held up by appeals officer James Thrash last week.
Both franchises were fined $250,000 and the league handed out a total of $1.3 million in fines for the brawl.