Steelers Starting QB Devlin Hodges In Week 6, Rule Out Mason Rudolph

The Pittsburgh Steelers officially ruled out QB Mason Rudolph for Week 6’s game against the Chargers and will start rookie QB Devlin Hodges in his place.

Reports from earlier in the week mentioned that Hodges was likely to draw the start with Rudolph working his way through the concussion protocol this week.

The Steelers have also promoted Paxton Lynch to their active roster to serve as Hodges’ backup. 

Hodges, 23, signed with the Steelers as an undrafted free agent out of Samford in May following the 2019 NFL Draft. He was waived coming out of the preseason but re-signed to Pittsburgh’s practice squad. 

Pittsburgh promoted Hodges to the active roster following the season-ending injury to QB Ben Roethlisberger.

In 2019, Hodges has appeared in one game for the Steelers and completed 7-of-9 passes for 68 yards while rushing for 20 yards.

Lynch, 25, was taken with the No. 26 overall pick after the Broncos traded up from No. 31 overall to get him in 2016 NFL Draft. Lynch signed a four-year, $9.4 million contract that includes $7.88 guaranteed and was set to make a base salary of $1.31 million in 2018 when the Broncos waived him coming out of the preseason.

After interest from a number of teams, Lynch signed a futures deal with the Seahawks for the 2019 season. Seattle waived Lynch coming out of the preseason this year and he signed to the Steelers practice squad in September. 

In 2017, Lynch appeared in two games for the Broncos and completed 66.7 percent of his passes to go along with two touchdowns and three interceptions. He also rushed for 30 yards.