NFL cut-down day is notorious for pushing players to the edge of anticipation, but Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Will Howard found a way to manage the pressure. Facing the high-stakes deadline while working his way through the league's concussion protocol, Howard relied on family, recovery, and deliberate distraction to navigate the anxious wait.
Speaking with 93.7 The Fan about how he spent his Sunday, Howard outlined a peaceful, active schedule designed to keep his mind completely off the roster bubble:
“What did I do Sunday? I think I went to church, and then I did a little hyperbaric chamber and then I went to X-Gold with my girlfriend and her sister. I was just doing things to keep my mind off it and not worry about it. Obviously we get
to 6 o’clock and no news is good news.”
Cleared from concussion protocol, #Steelers Will Howard discusses how he spent cutdown day 😃. pic.twitter.com/D8xoaZJqF1
— 93.7 The Fan (@937theFan) September 3, 2026
The timeline was particularly stressful for the young passer, who suffered a head injury during the preseason finale against the Buffalo Bills. The concussion protocol meant extra health uncertainty on top of standard roster deadline stress.
Fortunately, Thursday’s practice provided an encouraging update: Howard has cleared the concussion protocol, allowing him to return to squad reps.
Howard’s approach highlights the mental discipline required of professional athletes under extreme pressure. By blending spiritual grounding at church, physical treatment in a hyperbaric oxygen chamber, and casual recreation with loved ones, he turned a nerve-wracking countdown into a balanced day of rest.
Ultimately, his strategy paid off. When the 6:00 p.m. ET roster cutdown deadline passed without bad news, Howard knew he was safe. His experience serves as a powerful reminder that when waiting on life-changing decisions, keeping moving and leaning on a support system is often the best play available.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Steelers’ Will Howard clears concussion protocol after cut-down stress
