PITTSBURGH (AP) — Mike Tomlin is in no rush to see Aaron Rodgers in a game situation.
The NFL's oldest player is going to sit out Pittsburgh's meeting with Tampa Bay, meaning the four-time MVP most likely won't make his official debut with the Steelers until the season opener against the New York Jets on Sept. 7.
While Tomlin declined to officially rule out Rodgers for Pittsburgh's preseason finale with Carolina on Aug. 21, the NFL's longest tenured coach has rarely made starters available for the final exhibition game.
Star outside linebacker T.J. Watt, wide receiver DK Metcalf, defensive back Jalen Ramsey and tight ends Jonnu Smith and Pat Freiermuth also will sit out for a second straight week. Linebacker Patrick Queen and defensive end Cam Heyward — who is “holding in” amid a contract dispute — also will get the day off.
“Some of those veteran guys I mentioned have been doing it for a long time and particularly at a high level,” Tomlin said. “Coupled with the fact that I’ve liked what I’ve seen from them in a practice setting, is the reason why sometimes I move that collective out of the way.”
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Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers talks with wide receiver Ben Skowronek during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Pittsburgh Steelers' Aaron Rodgers watches before an NFL preseason football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
MUKUNO, Uganda (AP) — Photos show polling in Uganda’s election as President Yoweri Museveni seeks a seventh term, facing a strong challenge from the musician-turned-politician best known as Bobi Wine. Some polling stations remained closed for up to four hours after the scheduled 7 a.m. start time on Thursday due to “technical challenges,” according to the nation’s electoral commission.
This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.
A supporter of leading opposition candidate Bobi Wine cheers while watching election officials count ballots, after polls closed at a polling station in Kampala, Uganda, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)
Voters wait to cast their ballots during the presidential election in Kampala, Uganda, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)
Uganda opposition presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, known as Bobi Wine, center left, greets election observers, including former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, at his home in Magere village on the outskirts of Kampala, Uganda, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Hajarah Nalwadda)
Uganda opposition presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, famously known as Bobi Wine of the National Unity Platform (NUP), shows the ink on his finger after casting his vote, during the presidential election at a polling station, in Kampala, Uganda, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)
A supporter of Uganda's President and National Resistance Movement (NRM) presidential candidate Yoweri Museveni reacts during a campaign rally in Kampala, Uganda, Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Samson Otieno)
A supporter of Uganda opposition presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, known as Bobi Wine, holds onto a campaign poster in Kampala, Uganda, Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Samson Otieno)
Voters line up to cast their ballots at a polling station, during the presidential election, in the capital, Kampala, Uganda, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)
A man casts his vote at a polling station in the capital, Kampala, Uganda, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Hajarah Nalwadda)
Uganda opposition presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, known as Bobi Wine, right, greets election observers, including former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, at his home in Magere village on the outskirts of Kampala, Uganda, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Hajarah Nalwadda)
Billboards of Uganda President and National Resistance Movement (NRM) presidential candidate Yoweri Museveni are seen in Kampala, Uganda, Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Samson Otieno)
Security forces guard a ballot box at a polling station as voters wait in line after voting failed to start on time due to system failures in the capital, Kampala, Uganda, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Hajarah Nalwadda)
Traffic police officers sit in front of campaign posters of President Yoweri Museveni, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) presidential candidate, during the general election, in Kampala, Uganda, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)
A woman casts her vote during the presidential election at a polling station in the capital, Kampala, Uganda, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)
Voters line up to cast their ballots during the presidential election at a polling station in the capital, Kampala, Uganda, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)
Uganda opposition presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, famously known as Bobi Wine of the National Unity Platform (NUP), casts his vote during the presidential election at a polling station, in Kampala, Uganda, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)
Uganda opposition presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu who is known as Bobi Wine waves to supporters at an election campaign rally in Mukono, Uganda, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Hajarah Nalwadda)
Uganda opposition presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu who is known as Bobi Wine waves to supporters at an election campaign rally in Mukono, Uganda, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Hajarah Nalwadda)
Supporters of Ugandan opposition presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu who is known as Bobi Wine are tear-gassed by police during a campaign rally ahead of elections, in Mukono, Uganda, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Hajarah Nalwadda)
Supporters of Uganda opposition presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, who is known as Bobi Wine attend an election campaign rally in Mukono, Uganda, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Hajarah Nalwadda)
Uganda opposition presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, who is known as Bobi Wine waves to supporters at an election campaign rally in Mukono, Uganda, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Hajarah Nalwadda)
Supporters of Ugandan opposition presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, who is known as Bobi Wine are tear-gassed by police during a campaign rally ahead of elections, in Mukono, Uganda, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Hajarah Nalwadda)
Ugandan security forces patrol a street during a campaign rally for opposition presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu who is known as Bobi Wine, ahead of elections, in Mukono, Uganda, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Hajarah Nalwadda)
Uganda opposition presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu who is known as Bobi Wine arrives at an election campaign rally in Mukono, Uganda, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Hajarah Nalwadda)
Uganda opposition presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu who is known as Bobi Wine travels in a convoy with supporters to attend an election campaign rally in Mukono, Uganda, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Hajarah Nalwadda)
Supporters of Uganda opposition presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu who is known as Bobi Wine attend an election campaign rally in Mukono, Uganda, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Hajarah Nalwadda)
Uganda opposition presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu who is known as Bobi Wine waves to supporters at an election campaign rally in Mukono, Uganda, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Hajarah Nalwadda)