NFL PLAYER NEWS

Steelers QB Roethlisberger may miss 4 to 6 weeks

The Sports Xchange

October 19, 2016 at 11:59 am.

Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, already ruled out against the New England Patriots on Sunday, may be out much longer than one game.

Roethlisberger could miss four to six weeks after having surgery for a torn meniscus in his left knee, sources told ESPN’s Chris Mortensen on Wednesday.

Roethlisberger and the Steelers were informed of the timetable by orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Bradley based on what the doctor saw when he performed the arthroscopic procedure Monday, according to the ESPN report.

“Doc says my knee looked good, but there still was some stuff in there from when I had my bone bruise last season in St. Louis,” Roethlisberger told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Tuesday. “He said that might keep me out a little longer than just a simple meniscus tear. Maybe an extra week or so. But there’s no way to put an exact timetable on it. It all depends on my pain and how I feel.”

Roethlisberger originally was told to expect to miss two to three weeks.

Coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday that backup Landry Jones will get the start in place of Roethlisberger against the Patriots.

The Steelers had been cautiously optimistic that Big Ben could return after the bye week for a matchup against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 9.

Tomlin did not speculate on the length of absence for the 34-year-old Roethlisberger, who sustained the injury in the first half on a play in which he was intercepted by safety Reshad Jones during last Sunday’s 30-15 loss to the Miami Dolphins. Roethlisberger missed one series and then returned to play the entire second half, finishing 19 of 34 for 189 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.

“When he is healthy, he’ll be back with us,” Tomlin said Tuesday.

Roethlisberger said he was told to do the first week to 10 days of rehab at home.

“I have to go in this week to see the guys. I’ll call Landry (Jones) and check in with him,” Roethlisberger told the Post-Gazette. “I want to do everything I can to help him. I just hope coach lets me be on the sideline Sunday.”

Jones threw an incomplete pass on his only attempt against the Dolphins. He started two games last season and had three touchdowns and four interceptions, completing 32 of 55 passes for 513 yards.