Steelers HC Mike Tomlin optimistic QB Aaron Rodgers will play Sunday against the Bills

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin told reporters he is optimistic that quarterback Aaron Rodgers will play this Sunday against the Buffalo Bills.

"I'm comfortable with his general trajectory," Tomlin said on Tuesday.

Rodgers missed last week's game against the Chicago Bears after suffering a fractured wrist against the Cincinnati Bengals the previous week.

Rodgers' wrist injury did not require surgery. Rodgers pushed to play in last Sunday's game after being limited in practice last Thursday.

Before Rodgers went down, he was coming off one of the worst games of his career against the Los Angeles Chargers. Rodgers threw for 161 yards, 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions. In Rodgers' first year with the Steelers, he has thrown for 1,969 yards, 19 touchdowns and 7 interceptions.

Backup quarterback Mason Rudolph finished the Bengals game and started in last Sunday's 31-28 loss to the Bears. Rudolph completed 24-of-31 passes for 171 yards, one touchdown and an interception in the 31-28 loss to the Bears. Rudolph has now thrown for 310 yards, 2 touchdowns and 1 interception this season. Rookie quarterback Will Howard served as Rudolph's backup in the game that Rodgers missed.

If Rodgers can play Sunday, his return will come at a pivotal time for the Steelers. The Ravens are now tied with the Steelers for the lead in the AFC North, with both teams at 6-5.

The Ravens have won their last five games and face the Bengals on Thursday night. The Steelers and Ravens match up for the first time this season on December 7 before playing again in the last week of the regular season.