Jan 9, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals outside linebacker Vontaze Burfict (55) sacks Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) during the third quarter in the AFC Wild Card playoff football game at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
PITTSBURGH – Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger plans to play Sunday at Denver but the Pittsburgh Steelers have little idea what to expect from their offensive stars when they take on the Broncos in the divisional playoffs.
Roethlisberger said Tuesday he is “day-to-day” with torn ligaments and a sprained AC joint in his right shoulder. Roethlisberger revealed the extent of his injury Tuesday on a Pittsburgh radio show.
Head coach Mike Tomlin said backup Landry Jones would prepare with more repetitions with the first team while Roethlisberger is evaluated.
Even if Roethlisberger can play, his effectiveness will be in question. He admitted after re-entering the 18-16 win over the Bengals on Saturday night that he couldn’t throw the ball more than 10 yards down the field.
There’s also doubt over whether top wide receiver Antonio Brown will be able to take the field at Denver. He is in the concussion protocol after being struck in the head by Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict late in the fourth quarter. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported that Brown is OK and is expected to play against the Broncos, but there has not been an official update from the team regarding Brown’s status.
He caught 16 passes for 189 yards and two touchdowns for the Steelers in a Dec. 20 win at home over the Broncos.
The Steelers have even more doubts on the offensive depth chart.
DeAngelo Williams missed the Bengals game with a right foot injury. The running back would like to play against the Broncos, but he’ll have to show the coaches he can play by practicing this week. He did not practice at all last week before being ruled out Friday.
