PITTSBURGH — Skylar Thompson didn't create a dilemma for the Steelers. He actually solved one.

With the way he played in the preseason, he made it easier to decide what they will do with the third quarterback spot.

Thompson has earned the right to be the backup to Aaron Rodgers and Mason Rudolph after he finished the preseason with another impressive performance Thursday night against the Carolina Panthers.

But it will also allow the Steelers to place rookie Will Howard on the reserve injured list to start the season and not worry about leaving him unprotected.

Teams are allowed to place two players on IR before rosters are pared to 53 players. Those moves have to be made on the day of final cuts, which is Tuesday. Howard, who has a fractured bone in his throwing hand, is the perfect candidate.

Howard would have to stay on IR for at least four games, but it would not be unreasonable if he remained there for the entire season. There is no mandatory designated-to-return date for those players.

After missing the entire preseason, Howard was not going to play in the regular season anyway, unless there was an extreme emergency. Thompson provides the one thing Howard lacks — experience.

Thompson was asked about his chances after a 19-10 victory against the Panthers when he produced the only touchdown — a 24-yard pass to receiver Lance McCutcheon.

"If it's here — I hope it's here — but you know, whatever shakes out, I have confidence that it's going to work out for me," Thompson said.

In three preseason games, Thompson completed 73.2% of his attempts for 498 yards and four touchdowns. His only interception came against Tampa Bay, when McCutcheon had the ball bounce off his arms. Thompson's three-game passer rating was 116.52.

It's been quite a rise for a player who wasn't given much of a chance when the Steelers brought in three quarterbacks after they signed Thompson in January.

"I'll always be thankful for my time here in Pittsburgh," Thompson said. "Like I said, I hope I'm still here. But you know, that's out of my control.

"I've been very thankful for my time here. I feel like I've grown a lot as a player and person. It's just been a tremendous experience for me."

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