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The last time Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph started against the Browns, he ended up being hit on the head by Myles Garrett with a helmet during a post-game fight.
Rudolph will have another chance to face Garrett and the Browns in week 17. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin announced on Tuesday that quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will not play against Cleveland this weekend and that Rudolph will be the starter in his place.
“I haven’t had a chance to talk to him about it, but I’m sure he’s excited about the opportunity to get started,” said Tomlin of Rudolph.
Tomlin noted that the team cannot go up to the seed in AFC and said that other players could also be left out, but that the Steelers will try to win the game. A victory and a defeat for Bill would guarantee the second position for Pittsburgh, while a defeat would give Buffalo the place.
Any decision to rest beginners will also have an impact on the Wild Card race. The Browns are in the playoffs with a win and the road to victory would probably look a little better against second-tier players.