Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger took a hit to his right wrist in the first half of Sunday’s game vs. New Orleans, but he stayed in the game for Pittsburgh, which leads 6-0 early in the second quarter.
Roethlisberger was hit by Saints linebacker Curtis Lofton on a 21-yard first-quarter completion to wideout Antonio Brown. Roethlisberger looked down at his right wrist and hand, and he would hand off five times in a row thereafter, with a couple of exchanges made left-handed. But he did not leave the game, and he was able to deliver a strike on a 3rd-and-3 pass to Lance Moore, keeping the drive alive. The Steelers would end the series with a field goal, extending their lead.
The Steelers might not need Roethlisberger to carry the day against New Orleans. The Saints have struggled to stop Steelers tailback Le’Veon Bell, who racked up 80 yards on his first 14 carries. What’s more, the New Orleans offense has sputtered, notching just two first downs on its first three drives.
UPDATE 2:13 p.m. ET: Well, the Saints’ offense woke up, with Drew Brees hitting a wide-open Benjamin Watson for a touchdown to give New Orleans a 7-6 lead. Then, on the Steelers’ ensuing drive, Roethlisberger was intercepted.