In a potentially devastating development for the Steelers on Thursday night, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger suffered an apparent ankle or knee injury and had to be helped to the locker room.
Roethlisberger’s left leg bent in an ugly way underneath him when Browns defensive tackle Scott Paxson took him down in the second quarter. Roethlisberger had been off to an excellent start in the game, completing eight of nine passes for 102 yards and a touchdown.
The NFL Network cameras showed Roethlisberger being helped to the locker room, clearly avoiding putting weight on his leg and clearly in pain. He was later shown being driven in a golf cart and hobbling around in the bowels of Heinz Field.
Roethlisberger was replaced by backup Charlie Batch. The Steelers lead the Browns 7-3 late in the second quarter.
UPDATE: Steelers coach Mike Tomlin told NFL Network’s Alex Flanagan that X-rays on Roethlisberger’s ankle were negative and Roethlisberger returned after halftime.