Pittsburgh Steelers star quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will have surgery on his right elbow and miss the remainder of the season, coach Mike Tomlin announced Monday. In a statement released by the team, Tomlin said that Roethlisberger will undergo the surgery at some point this week after having an MRI on Sunday night. The Steelers, who will place Roethlisberger on injured reserve, have not yet provided details about the injury, and there is no timetable for when the six-time Pro Bowler will be able to play again.
Roethlisberger was hurt late in the second quarter of Sunday’s 28-26 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, grabbing his elbow after attempting a pass on the team’s final drive of the half. Roethlisberger had complained of arm soreness coming off the Week 1 loss at New England, multiple teammates said Monday. One Steeler told ESPN that he texted Roethlisberger on Sunday night and the quarterback responded that the injury outlook was “not good.” Monday’s locker room scene was unsettled. This is the first time in Roethlisberger’s 16-year career that he is set to miss more than four games in a row.
“It’s super weird. Really surreal,” guard David DeCastro said. “You’ve got to have the football mentality that the next guy’s up and move on, but obviously with a guy like that it’s a little different. Easier said than done.” Added wide receiver Ryan Switzer: “It sucks because he’s the unquestioned leader on our offense. … We’ve got 14 games left. We owe it to ourselves and this organization and this fan base to pull it together.”
In Roethlisberger’s absence, second-year quarterback Mason Rudolph nearly led the Steelers to a fourth-quarter comeback Sunday in his first career appearance, completing 12 of 19 attempts for 112 yards and two touchdowns with an interception.
As reporters addressed Rudolph at his locker, slot corner Mike Hilton blurted out, “Tell them you’re built for this s—, Mase.” The Steelers were impressed with Rudolph’s poise and preparation in his first game action, and Rudolph expects to build off that momentum Sunday in San Francisco.
“I worked for this,” Rudolph said. “I wanted to be in this position. That was the plan.”
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