REPORT-Will Howard to miss at least 3 weeks

LATROBE, PA (93.7 The Fan) – It's not that Steelers quarterback Will Howard was expected to play in the regular season, but hopes were preseason games would give a little better idea of what they have in the sixth-round pick. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports Howard will miss at least three weeks, or the rest of the preseason with a fractured small bone in his hand.

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said he believed the injury occurred during a quarterback-center exchange during practice at St. Vincent College on Tuesday. Howard was very popular with the fans during open practices at training camp and performed well with the third-team reps he received.

Look for quarterback Skylar Thompson to take all of Howard's reps not just in practice, but in preseason games. It allows the 28-year-old, who likely won't make the Steelers roster barring complications with Howard or another quarterback injury, to display his skills in a game environment.

Steelers open the preseason Saturday at Jacksonville with the only home preseason game on Saturday, August 16 and the final game on Thursday, August 21 at Carolina.