Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger's return unclear after knee surgery
The Pittsburgh Steelers might have suffered a setback even more significant than their 30-15 loss to the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.
Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger underwent surgery on his left knee Monday, the Steelers confirmed. The team did not address the nature of the surgery or injury, but the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported Roethlisberger had torn his meniscus.
The Steelers have not provided a timetable for his return.
"Ben Roethlisberger underwent a successful outpatient arthoscopic surgery on his left knee this morning," Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said in a statement. "He is now recovering at home and expected to make a full recovery. Though we do not know a specific timetable for when he will be able to return to the field, we are confident this injury is not long-term."
Roethlisberger, who has an NFL-high 16 touchdown passes, was injured in the second quarter and briefly left the game before returning in the second half.
Landry Jones entered the game when Roethlisberger went to the locker room and likely would be fill-in starter.
The meniscus is a piece of cartilage in the knee that sits atop the tibia and can be damaged when the knee is twisted or hyperextended. Houston-based orthopedic surgeon Michael George told Paste BN Sports that the surgeon may not know the full extent of damage and what course of action until the arthroscopic procedure in underway.
According to multiple reports, Roethlisberger had the damaged part of the meniscus trimmed, a procedure called a meniscectomy. George, a sports injury specialist at the KSF Orthopaedic Center, said the recovery from such a procedure could range from two to six weeks.
If the Steelers have to turn to Jones, the offense could take a significant hit. Roethlisberger missed four games last season with a sprained medial collateral ligament and bone bruise, and Pittsburgh went 2-2 with Jones and Michael Vick providing little spark at quarterback.
The Steelers host the New England Patriots next Sunday.
Contributing: A.J. Perez
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