The Pittsburgh Steelers may get starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger back this week when they play the Baltimore Ravens. He’s officially listed as questionable after practicing this week.
Roethlisberger, who has been out since undergoing knee surgery two weeks ago, missed Pittsburgh’s loss to the New England Patriots with the injury, but was able to return to practice this week after their bye.
That being said, apparently the Super Bowl winning quarterback has progressed enough to warrant his possible return this week. Head coach Mike Tomlin told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler after practice on Friday that Roethlisberger has made good progress.
“We had a good day today,” Tomlin said about the veteran quarterback. “He had a good day today. We’ll see how his body responds to the work. We don’t have to make the decision today so we won’t. We’ll continue to push forward toward gameday.”
Although Tomlin said it was a good week, he would not disclose whom his starting quarterback would be this week against Baltimore and he would not even discuss the practice rep split between Roethlisberger and backup quarterback Landry Jones.
Ultimately the Steelers may be playing dumb with the entire situation to avoid showing their hand before Sunday’s contest. Even offensive coordinator Todd Haley was short on details when it came to the quarterback’s availability for Sunday, despite his strong practice play.
“He looked good out there today, knows what he’s supposed to do, made some good throws,” Haley said after Thursday’s practice. “We’ll see, or coach [Mike Tomlin] will see.”
Haley was then pressed if Roethlisberger would start if his knee performed as well as it had the last few days in practice. As expected, the offensive coordinator was very quiet about any details.
“I think with something like that it’s just each day how he feels the next day”, Haley said.
