Steelers' Will Howard: Not playing Thursday

Howard (hand) isn't suited up for Thursday's preseason contest at Carolina, Alan Saunders of SteelersNow.com reports.

Howard sustained a broken small bone in his right hand in practice on Aug. 5 and missed the Steelers' first two exhibitions as a result. Thursday's absence will make it a third in a row, meaning the rookie sixth-round pick likely is destined to kick off the campaign as the team's No. 3 QB behind Aaron Rodgers and Mason Rudolph.