Rudolph to start for Steelers in season finale vs. Browns

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph (2) and tight end Eric Ebron (85) Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Mason Rudolph to start for Steelers in season finale against Browns

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 12/29/20

The Cleveland Browns will attempt to clinch their first playoff berth since 2002 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, who have decided to rest veteran quarterback Ben Roethlisberger ahead of the postseason.

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin announced Tuesday that Mason Rudolph will start against the Browns, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. It will be Rudolph's first start of the season and first since 2019.

Steelers’ QB Mason Rudolph will start in Week 17 game against Cleveland.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 29, 2020

Tomlin has not indicated if any other players will be held out of the regular-season finale.

Rudolph went 5-3 in eight starts last season, completing 62.2% of his passes for 1,765 yards and 13 touchdowns against nine interceptions. He's one of the more capable backups in the NFL, so it's no surprise Tomlin has full faith in him.

Sunday's matchup could get quite feisty between Rudolph and Browns defensive end Myles Garrett after the helmet-hitting incident from last season that led to Garrett being suspending the remainder of the 2019 season, but hopefully both players will be held at bay during the final game of the year.

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