Initial reports about Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger’s right shoulder injury indicated that he avoided any ligament damage, but Roethlisberger gave an update Tuesday that said otherwise.
Roethlisberger was a guest on 93.7 The Fan and said that he did tear ligaments in his shoulder. Roethlisberger also has a sprained AC joint to show for the hit he took from Vontze Burfict last Saturday night. Roethlisberger left the game after the hit, but returned for the game-winning drive.
Roethlisberger said he’s “definitely sore” and explained how the injury impacted him after his return to the game.
“It didn’t hurt when I reached back to throw,” Roethlisberger said. “But it was pushing forward to throw and then the end of the throw. So I definitely felt like I was shortening up my motion up a little bit, which is why we threw some screens, and couldn’t really get the ball down the field… I think it just more affected how I could throw it.”
Roethlisberger said the plan is “take it day-by-day” this week and will see what he’s able to do when the team returns to practice on Wednesday.
“I honestly don’t know,” Roethlisberger said. “I haven’t tried to throw a football since the game, and maybe that’s not even the right thing to do right away. I’ll see the doctors and trainers tomorrow, we’ll evaluate kind of how I feel. If anything, maybe I can practice and hand off and still get some mental reps that way. So we’ll really just kind of see how it goes tomorrow.”
Broncos coach Gary Kubiak said Monday that he expects Roethlisberger will play in Denver on Sunday. Roethlisberger’s history says that’s the best approach for Denver to take, although things could still play out differently in the next few days.