Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will start Sunday’s game vs. the Baltimore Ravens. He had previously been a game-time decision.
Roethlisberger suffered a torn meniscus in his left knee in Pittsburgh’s Week 6 loss to the Miami Dolphins and underwent surgery the following Monday (Oct. 17). He was originally projected to be out for at least four weeks — and up to six — but he’ll only miss one game (against the New England Patriots) thanks to Pittsburgh’s bye last week.
At this point, it makes you wonder what would have to happen to Roethlisberger for him to miss more than two games.
The Steelers’ quarterback practiced all week, getting first-team reps, and offensive coordinator Todd Haley told Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that Roethlisberger looked good.
After Thursday’s practice, Haley told Bouchette, “We’ll see, or coach (Mike Tomlin) will see,” before adding, “I think with something like that, it’s just each day how (Roethlisberger) feels the next day.”
The Ravens said they weren’t going to be fooled into thinking backup quarterback Landry Jones would start in Roethlisberger’s place, even before the positive news about Roethlisberger’s knee started leaking out. A member of Baltimore’s organization even told NFL Network reporter Aditi Kinkhabwala, “We don’t fall for tomfoolery.” Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs said he’d seen “this Roethlisberger movie before.”
Suggs added: “He’s gonna act like ‘Aw, I’m not playing, I don’t know, I did individual work a little bit.’ But then he’ll walk his big ass on out there and it’ll be ‘How you doin’ Benjamin.’ And then it’s on.”
Looks like Suggs was right.
The decision to start was a last-minute one, made by Tomlin and Roethlisberger at the stadium prior to the game.
Pittsburgh is certainly happy to have its starter back under center, especially after a lackluster performance by Jones in last week’s game against the Patriots (29 of 47 for 281 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT). In 17 games against the Ravens, Roethlisberger has thrown for an average of 230 yards per game, 27 touchdowns and 18 interceptions.
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