On Sunday, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ losing ways continued with a narrow road loss at the hands of the Chicago Bears. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers did not play in this one due to a fracture in his non-throwing hand, and Mason Rudolph’s play wasn’t quite enough to keep the Steelers from losing their fourth game in six tries, squandering their division lead vs the Baltimore Ravens in the process.

Some fans are wondering when the team might see Rodgers back on the field, and thankfully, they got a positive update in that regard on Tuesday afternoon.

“Mike Tomlin said he has ‘great optimism’ Aaron Rodgers (wrist) will be able to play against the Bills,” reported Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

“I’m comfortable with his general trajectory,” Tomlin said, per Dulac.

Rodgers has been up and down so far this year during his time as the Steelers’ quarterback, at times playing above expectations, but at others turning in some pretty rough performances, including a particularly bad game in a recent road loss against the Los Angeles Chargers.

Overall, the Steelers currently sit at 6-5, and are now tied with the suddenly red-hot Ravens for first place in the division, with both matchups between the two teams this season yet to be played.

At this point, it seems likely that the Steelers’ more realistic path to the playoffs will be a wild card berth, which is starting to become a familiar theme for a Pittsburgh fanbase that is growing increasingly angsty. For the past several years, the Steelers have made a habit out of starting seasons out hot, just as they did this year, before eventually tapering off down the stretch and then getting demolished in the Wild Card round by a superior playoff opponent.

The Steelers will next take the field on Sunday afternoon at home for a key matchup vs the Buffalo Bills.