Roethlisberger has successful knee procedure
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin talks to quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2016, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) sits on the sidelines, during the second half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2016, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
PITTSBURGH – The Pittsburgh Steelers will find themselves in an all-too-familiar spot Sunday when they host the New England Patriots: playing without one of their stars in a big game.
Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger underwent a minor surgery yesterday to repair damage to the meniscus in his left knee, an issue that will likely sideline him against the Patriots (5-1).
“Ben Roethlisberger underwent a successful outpatient arthroscopic surgery on his left knee this morning,” head coach Mike Tomlin said in a statement released by the team Monday afternoon.
“He is now recovering at home and is 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 was injured midway through the second quarter of Sunday’s 30-15 loss at Miami. He went to the locker room for the remainder of the half but returned in the third quarter and finished the game, throwing for just 189 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions.
Landry Jones would get his third-career start if Roethlisberger cannot play, though Jones isn’t ready to count Roethlisberger out.
“Shoot, you never know what’s going to go on during the week. I’m going to prepare like I’ve done in the past and we’ll see what happens,” Jones said, adding that he hadn’t heard from the coaching staff that he’ll be starting.
The Steelers could be non-committal about Roethlisberger’s status for the upcoming week in an attempt to keep the Patriots in the dark about their plans, but head coach Mike Tomlin is expected to name his starting quarterback out when he meets with the media Tuesday.
Then again, there has been an instance when a quarterback had a similar surgery and played six days later.
“Philip Rivers did it, didn’t he?” Jones asked. “So you never know what’s going to happen.”
Rivers had a procedure to repair his meniscus on the Monday before the 2008 AFC Championship and came back to play that week against the Patriots. He also played with a torn ACL, choosing to wait on that surgery until after the game.
But that was a playoff game. With the Steelers having their bye week after hosting the Patriots, it’s more likely Roethlisberger won’t be back until they travel to Baltimore Nov. 6. Jones has thrown 56 career passes, completing 32 for 513 yards, three touchdowns and four interceptions.
“He’s not as capable as Ben is,” running back Le’Veon Bell said.
“Ben’s been a longtime starter, been in the league for a long time at a high level. We’ve got to get (Jones) to the point where he’s confident and he feels like he can do no wrong. That’s when he can be striking.”
Jones said he’s more confident this season than he was last year, when he saw his first playing time while Roethlisberger missed four games with an MCL sprain and the start of a game against Cleveland because of a foot injury.
“The more you play, the more experience you get, the more confidence you get,” said Jones. “I’ve been here for four years now and nothing has really changed. Being able to be in the same place with the same offensive coordinator, running the same offense, you know it in and out. There’s things to grow with game experience, but as far as the offense, I feel like I have it down pretty well.”
Odds and end zones
Tight end Ladarius Green could begin practicing with the Steelers Wednesday. Green, who signed a 4-year, $20-million free agent contract in the offseason, opened the season on the PUP list after undergoing an offseason ankle surgery. The Steelers will have 21 days from the time he begins practicing to decide whether to place him on the active roster. … Defensive end Cam Heyward, who missed his first career game in the loss to Miami with a hamstring injury, said he hopes to return against the Patriots but doesn’t want to rush back and suffer a more severe injury. … Safety Mike Mitchell, who suffered a sprained knee against the Dolphins in the first quarter, will likely be limited in practice this week but said he expects to play against New England. Mitchell returned to play against the Dolphins.