PIT and TB square off in a Saturday night showcase at Acrisure Stadium, but the storyline centers on quarterbacks, not points. Rodgers won’t play, Rudolph and Thompson will start, and Will Howard remains sidelined by a broken finger. Howard’s absence elevates the early live-game reps for Pittsburgh’s other backups, while the veteran leadership on TB’s sideline points to a cautious approach for the rest of preseason action.

Howard is out at least three weeks per Ian Rapoport, avoiding surgery and keeping him the emergency quarterback on gamedays. That leaves Rudolph and Thompson to carry the QB load, with the door open for limited live reps for others if injury creeps in. Meanwhile, Baker Mayfield will get some rest day treatment for Tampa Bay, a reminder that this game leans more toward evaluation than fireworks for fantasy rosters.

Fantasy takeaway: in August, monitor who sees meaningful reps behind Rodgers and Rudolph. If Rodgers remains sidelined, Pittsburgh’s backups could become speculative streamers in deeper formats, while TB’s mix could tilt toward run-heavy drives and shorter plays, limiting upside for Mayfield’s supporting cast. Keep an eye on the emergency QB role and any late-second-half opportunities for fringe roster contributors.