View topic - BenRoth not injured?

[Nel Profile]

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=A ... eam_report

Sept. 16, 2008

Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is fine and his right shoulder is healthy, no matter what NBC television says.

NBC reported on Sunday night that Roethlisberger had a separated shoulder. The Steelers quarterback then went out and threw several deep balls and completed 12 of 19 for 186 yards and a 113 passer rating.

Among his passes was one that traveled nearly 60 yards in the air and was caught by Santonio Holmes for a 48-yard gain. Another was a bullet to Hines Ward for the game’s only touchdown, of 11 yards and one that traveled a little more than 20 yards. And yet another came from the line of scrimmage at the 45 of the Steelers that Willie Parker dropped inside the five.

The Steelers dismissed the NBC report right after the game as nonsense.

“They know more than I do,” coach Mike Tomlin said. “That’s good television, I guess.”

[steelwest Profile]

I would be delighted if this was the case. However, by the grimaces on Ben's face at various points in the game, along with the way he was holding his shoulder, plus his use of his left hand to unbuckle his right chin strap, I am dubious about reports that he is fully healthy. Let's hope for the best though.

[Nel Profile]

Ben's right arm was hanging limp and a little low during the game when he was not using it to hand off or throw.

He did not practice much last week. Had had a pained expression on his face at times during the game.

Yet, Ben's throwing during the Stains game was strong and pretty much without fault.

I think Ben had a somewhat painful but minor injury (partial separation, probably). A full separation would probably have placed him on the sidelines (ex-QB Ron Jaworski stated on last MNF that he missed 6 weeks of play with his own shoulder separation).

I think the team wants it to get no worse, and hence the postgame verbal runaround and evasion by Ben and Tomlin.

I don't think Ben had a full-separation injury.

[steelerette Profile]

I think the team wants it to get no worse, and hence the postgame verbal runaround and evasion by Ben and Tomlin.

Yep, that and the fact that the Steelers don't want their opponents knowing what's going on with Ben so they can game plan for it.

[Coke Oven Profile]

"Yet, Ben's throwing during the Stains game was strong and pretty much without fault"

Novocain?

[steelmoney Profile]

Big Ben's shoulder not separated Story Highlights
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said it's sprained
Roethlisberger expected to play Sunday at Philly
Tomlin said Roethlisberger can't do more damage by playing

PITTSBURGH (AP) -- Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin clarified the status of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's shoulder: Sprained but not separated.

The injury will likely keep Roethlisberger from fully participating in practice Wednesday, but not from playing on Sunday against Philadelphia.

The Steelers said last week that their quarterback was nursing a sore shoulder, but a TV commentator on Sunday night termed the injury a shoulder separation.

During his weekly news conference Tuesday, Tomlin appeared agitated by the latter description.

"I have no idea where that report came from," Tomlin said. "It didn't come from me or my medical staff. If anybody in here has got any information about where that report came from, send them to me."

Tomlin said Roethlisberger sprained his AC joint, an injury to the ligaments that attach the collarbone to the shoulder blade.

Asked if Roethlisberger was the source of the disputed information, Tomlin said, "Not to my knowledge."

The issue may be one of semantics. The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons describes a mild shoulder separation as a sprain of the AC ligament. It differs from more severe shoulder separations in which the ligament is torn.

Whatever the injury, Roethlisberger threw for 186 yards and a touchdown during Pittsburgh's 10-6 win over Cleveland on Sunday and is expected to play this Sunday against the Eagles.

"He said it feels better than it did a week ago, which is good," Tomlin said.

Roethlisberger was sacked three times Sunday but perhaps endured his hardest hit -- from 350-pound Browns defensive tackle Shaun Rogers -- after releasing the ball. Roethlisberger appeared to hold his arm gingerly after that play.

Tomlin said Roethlisberger can do no further damage to the shoulder by playing. The coach was asked if it was a worry that his quarterback was missing so much practice time.

"It really depends on the quarterback," Tomlin said. "Some guys require a great number of snaps to get prepared to play. Some guys can learn visually, film room and so forth. Thankfully with Ben he's a pretty quick study and sharp guy. ... It doesn't take him a great number of reps to be prepared to play.

"Hopefully it won't be an issue this week. I know it won't be an excuse."

In other injury news, defensive end Brett Keisel has a calf strain. He is out for the Eagles game and likely for at least a month overall, though Tomlin said he would be evaluated "week to week."

Travis Kirschke is expected to take his place in the starting lineup, with veteran Orpheus Roye being added to the active roster Sunday so he can join the team's six-man rotation on the defensive line.

Also, starting cornerback Deshea Townsend's heel contusion might force him to miss his second game in a row.

Linebacker James Farrior (back) and wide receiver Santonio Holmes (knee) are starters who will be limited in practice due to injury but will play in Philadelphia.

Copyright 2008 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

[angieTE84 Profile Website]

A few face shots on Ben in the 3rd quarter you could tell he was in some major pain. They did a lot of running plays. But as sore as he was he through the ball pretty well. I believe Tomlin said Ben wouldn’t be practicing much this week but he will be starting next week.
What was up with Ward? He looked like he was playing dodge ball!

[trenches Profile]

Between the 104 degree fever and the broken toes, it seems Ben has a variation of Kurt Schilling Syndrome.

He's clearly hurt and the degree of the injury may never really be known but one fact remains clear, WE WILL ALL KNOW if Ben feels anything abnormal.

And, most of the time that he is "hurt", he'll perform above average.... like Schilling.