Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers escape disaster after unnecessary risk
PITTSBURGH — Go ahead, Steelers Nation, exhale.
Your franchise quarterback left Heinz Field in a walking boot Sunday, but it was merely a temporary measure. Ben Roethlisberger still has his right foot intact and full intentions of suiting up without a hitch Sunday at Kansas City.
But that was close.
The Steelers' franchise quarterback e-mailed the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Monday and revealed that an MRI concluded that he'd aggravated an old foot fracture.
“But nothing severe,” Roethlisberger wrote to the newspaper. “I should be good to go.”
That should settle civic nerves, with the Steelers needing a victory against the AFC West champion Kansas City Chiefs to advance to the conference title game for the first time in six years.
Yet the encouraging health report doesn’t take Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin completely off the hook.
Big Ben was injured after taking a hit from Miami Dolphins defensive end Cameron Wake with roughly five minutes remaining in the fourth quarter of a game the Steelers were leading by 18 points.
What in the name of Terry Bradshaw was Roethlisberger doing in the game at that point?
“I don’t know if they had a conversation on the sideline about me staying in there or not,” Roethlisberger said Sunday night. “But I love being out there with my guys.”
Tomlin can answer that lingering question during his Tuesday press conference. As it stands now, Tomlin — and the Steelers — dodged the type of serious injury that can instantly sink a ship.
Ask the Oakland Raiders.
In Week 16, Oakland left franchise passer Derek Carr in the game while leading the Indianapolis Colts by 19 points in the fourth quarter. Carr suffered a broken leg that essentially ruined the Raiders’ season. Oakland was eliminated Saturday, when third-string rookie Connor Cook had the misfortune of making his first pro start against the Houston Texans' top-ranked defense. The Dolphins were also hamstrung Sunday with veteran backup Matt Moore filling in for injured quarterback Ryan Tannehill.
There’s something to be said for not playing or coaching scared. Football is a violent sport. Injuries happen. And rosters aren't big enough to stash away every key player. Yet there’s also a time to shut it down for the most valuable pieces — like the franchise quarterback — and get ready for next week. At the very least, there’s no need to expose a player like Roethlisberger to a hit on a dropback pass with a big lead in hand.
A week before the 30-12 romp over Miami, Roethlisberger, Le’Veon Bell and Antonio Brown — the Big Three propelling Pittsburgh's offensive juggernaut — were healthy scratches for the regular-season finale against the Cleveland Browns. With the No. 3 playoff seeding secured, it was a sensible precaution.
But that same mindset was needed for Roethlisberger on Sunday. Interestingly, the Steelers replaced Bell with backup DeAngelo Williams with just under six minutes to play, while leaving Big Ben on the field.
As Roethlisberger himself noted Sunday: “You’re always worried about being hurt.”
Tomlin didn’t specifically address Roethlisberger’s injury Sunday since the quarterback didn’t show up to his news conference (in the boot) for about a half hour after his coach spoke. Tomlin only addressed his team’s injuries in a general sense and was hardly alarmed as he maintained that any setbacks were merely “normal bumps and bruises.”
It’s probable that Tomlin knew then what Roethlisberger insisted a short time later, then reiterated Monday — that the injury wasn’t overly serious. Yet you can believe that the Chiefs — with dangerous edge rushers Justin Houston, Tamba Hali and emerging Dee Ford in tow — will be eager to find out whether Roethlisberger is in any way less effective.
Pittsburgh entered the playoffs as healthy as it has been in several years. For the first time, the Big Three was intact for a Super Bowl run. And Bell, who missed the past two postseasons due to injuries, demonstrated just what his presence means as he set the franchise’s single-game playoff rushing record with 167 yards against Miami.
Now the Steelers have another reminder about the big risks that come in seeking big rewards.
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Follow NFL columnist Jarrett Bell on Twitter @JarrettBell
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