Hodges to start over Rudolph in Steelers' rematch with Browns

The Pittsburgh Steelers will start Devlin Hodges at quarterback over Mason Rudolph in their Week 13 rematch with the Cleveland Browns.

Hodges relieved an ineffective Rudolph against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 12 and led Pittsburgh to a come-from-behind win.

"The decision is clear for us," Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday. Tomlin added, "I thought he provided us a spark in-game. I'm hopeful that he's capable of continuing to provide that spark as we step into this stadium."

Hodges, an undrafted rookie from Samford, started one game earlier this season. He guided the Steelers to a victory over the Los Angeles Chargers on Oct. 13, completing 15 of 20 passes for 132 yards with one touchdown and one interception on Sunday Night Football.

"He has not killed us," Tomlin said when asked why he's going with Hodges for the pivotal AFC North tilt.

Rudolph has started every other game since Ben Roethlisberger landed on injured reserve after Week 2. In nine appearances this year, the Oklahoma State product has thrown 12 touchdowns against nine interceptions.

Four of Rudolph's picks came two weeks ago against the Browns in a game Cleveland won 21-7 on Thursday Night Football. Rudolph was bashed over the head with his own helmet while brawling with Browns lineman Myles Garrett at the end of that contest.

"He hadn't protected the ball very recently like he did in the early portions of his participation," Tomlin said while explaining the quarterback switch. "I got a lot of patience for young guys but one thing that we need to do is take care of the ball."

Rudolph was fined for his role in the Week 11 melee, while Garrett was suspended for at least the rest of this season.

Tomlin stopped short of declaring Hodges the starting quarterback beyond Week 13.