PITTSBURGH — Mike Tomlin isn't playing coy or trying to keep the Bills guessing.

Aaron Rodgers was a full participant in Friday's practice, according to the Steelers head coach, and will start Sunday in yet another pivotal game for the team's playoff hopes.

"It's all systems go," Tomlin said before being asked what changed from last game to this game. "Just more reps, certainly. But it's another week, so I'm sure there's more comfort there, not only in him but in the medical experts."

Never mind that Rodgers made it clear Wednesday it was his understanding he did not need any sort of medical clearance. We'll just have to chalk that up to another Tomlin misunderstanding with his injured starting quarterback, but regardless, Rodgers will be back in and Mason Rudolph will not get a chance to avenge his loss to the Bills in the wild card round two years ago.

Tomlin did add that Rodgers was able to take snaps under center, too, which in theory keeps everything open in Arthur Smith's playbook. That's no small matter against a Bills defense that has allowed 100-plus rushing yards in all but two games.

"You've got to know there's a challenge every week. Sometimes it's run game, sometimes it's pass game, sometimes it's both," Bills coach Sean McDermott said Friday. "Overall, whenever you play a Pittsburgh Steelers football team, it's gonna be a physical game."

The Bills can wreak havoc on the edges, though, with Greg Rousseau and Joey Bosa. Not only will Rodgers likely play with a cast on his left wrist, but he'll be protected by Andrus Peat, who's stepping in for Broderick Jones at left tackle.

Tomlin is opting for Peat instead of Calvin Anderson on the blind side. The 6-foot-7, 316-pound Peat is 32 and a longtime starter with the Saints but last played left tackle extensively in 2023, his final season with New Orleans.

"I'm always ready to play or start," Peat said. "I've been a starter most of my career, so I always try to prepare like that and keep myself in that mindset."

Peat admitted it won't be easy to suddenly play a full game for the first time in a long time. He started once last year with the Raiders, at left guard, but played fewer than half the snaps.

With Jones sidelined by a neck injury, Peat gets the first crack at protecting Rodgers. Anderson could come in if Peat falters, but Peat plans on being out there all day.

"It's tough to replicate that," Peat said. "You just go and don't think about it and do the extra stuff you can in practice and your workouts."

Other than Jones and rookie defensive lineman Derrick Harmon, both of whom were ruled out Tuesday by Tomlin, the Steelers have a clean bill of health — relatively speaking — for Sunday. Cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (hip) and receiver/special teamer Ben Skowronek (shoulder) were upgraded to full participants in Friday's practice.

Outside linebacker Alex Highsmith will return from his pectoral injury after missing the past two games, and wideout DK Metcalf logged another full practice despite the ankle issue that kept him out Wednesday.

The Bills are in dire straits on their offensive line, missing left tackle Dion Dawkins and right tackle Spencer Brown. Swing tackle Ryan Van Demark will start at one spot, but McDermott didn't disclose whether sixth-round rookie Chase Lundt or second-year Tylan Grable, just activated off injured reserve, will be the other bookend.

Buffalo also ruled out No. 1 inside linebacker Terrel Bernard while listing tight end Dalton Kincaid and receiver Josh Palmer as questionable.

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