Ravens expect Roethlisberger to play, but will he?
Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger could return from a knee injury to play Sunday at Baltimore, but no official decision has been made by the coaching staff.
Ravens outside linebacker Terrell Suggs and the rest of his teammates believe they will see Ben Roethlisberger at quarterback Sunday.
Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has taken his share of hard hits against the Ravens, including this sack by Elvis Dumervil last year in Baltimore.
PITTSBURGH – If the Steelers are trying to trick the Baltimore Ravens into thinking quarterback Ben Roethlisberger won’t play when the teams meet Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium, then they’re not having much success.
When asked Wednesday if he expected Roethlisberger under center, longtime Baltimore linebacker Terrell Suggs was succinct in his answer.
“We all know who’s playing,” Suggs said. “Tell Ben he’s not fooling anybody. I’ve seen this movie too many times before. We know we’ll see No. 7.”
That hasn’t always been the case for Roethlisberger against the Ravens. Though he has appeared in 17 games against Baltimore in his career, he has missed seven starts because of injury, suspension or a coach’s decision. Despite that, Roethlisberger owns an 11-7 record against Baltimore in games he starts.
Roethlisberger had surgery to repair the meniscus in his left knee two weeks ago and missed Pittsburgh’s last game, a 27-16 loss to the New England Patriots.
The initial prognosis was the surgery would keep him out two to four weeks. Sunday will be 20 days since the surgery.
Like Suggs, many of Roethlisberger’s teammates are starting to get the feeling the quarterback is going to play, not only because he’s physically ready, but because the Steelers (4-3) need a win against the Ravens (3-4) to maintain control of the AFC North. Pittsburgh holds a one-game lead over Baltimore while Cincinnati is 3-4-1 after tying the New York Giants last week while the Steelers and Ravens each were on a bye.
“He looked good. I’m not sure how he feels, but he looked good,” said guard Ramon Foster after Roethlisberger was a limited participant in practice Wednesday. “His health, how he’s feeling, will determine the rest of the week. But his accuracy, his throwing the ball, it looked like Ben.
“I won’t guess because, in this sport, players never pull themselves out – it has to be left up to the coach. I feel like if it’s left up to Ben, then he’ll go.”
Running back Le’Veon Bell agreed with Foster’s assessment.
“Ben looked good to me. He always looks good to me,” Bell said. “I don’t know exactly how he feels but he looked good. Hopefully, he doesn’t have any setbacks or anything like that. We’re always pushing for him to come back.”
Roethlisberger said swelling in the knee could be an issue that keeps him out of the lineup, but he went through some team drills last week and was a limited participant when the team held an extra practice Monday.
Pain is still an issue but that’s to be expected.
“Oh yeah, you have surgery two weeks ago, there’s going to be a little bit,” said Roethlisberger. “But listen, anybody in this locker room who’s not feeling pain hasn’t been on the football field. Everyone is feeling pain.”
But will he play?
Roethlisberger said that decision remains with head coach Mike Tomlin, though he will have input. Roethlisberger, who has won two Super Bowls and led the Steelers to another in 13 seasons, took exception last week to former Baltimore linebacker and current CBS NFL analyst Bart Scott calling him a “drama queen” when it comes to injuries.
Much like he wasn’t buying Roethlisberger not playing, Suggs, whose 14 1/2 career sacks is the most by any player aginst the Steelers, wasn’t having any of that talk, either.
“You can’t call a man who has two Super Bowl rings a drama queen,” Suggs said.
Offensive lineman Cody Wallace (knee) and guard David DeCastro (coach’s decision) did not practice Wednesday. In addition to Roethlisberger, running back DeAngelo Williams (knee) was limited. Wide receiver Antonio Brown (hip), right tackle Marcus Gilbert (ankle), defensive end Cameron Heyward (hamstring), safety Shamarko Thomas (groin) and wide receiver Markus Wheaton (shoulder) all were full participants.