Roethlisberger to start vs. Chargers
Share This Story
PITTSBURGH (AP)
The Pittsburgh Steelers aren't taking any chances with their franchise quarterback's sprained right shoulder and dislocated rib.
Though the Steelers confirmed Ben Roethlisberger will return to the starting lineup on Sunday against San Diego after missing three weeks due to injury, Roethlisberger will take the field with a little extra protection.
Roethlisberger will play with a custom-fit rib/chest compression shirt and a layer of Kevlar-lined composite in his shoulder pads to help absorb hits to his clavicle and shoulder joint regions.
The padding, made by Unequal Technologies, has grown popular across the NFL. Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick wore a similar compression shirt after injuring his ribs a few years ago and dozens of players, including Pittsburgh safety Troy Polamalu and linebacker James Harrison, use Unequal CRT in their helmets.
The padding, about a half-inch thick, in Roethlisberger's shoulder pads is similar to the gear the company puts in its chest protectors for baseball catchers. Roethlisberger said last week his shoulder pads had been ''juiced up'' by the team trainers.
Whatever he's wearing, the Steelers (7-5) are eager to have him back on the field. Roethlisberger took ''90 percent'' of the first-team snaps on Thursday without any major issues.
''He looks like himself for the most part,'' offensive coordinator Todd Haley said. ''Now I don't know what he's feeling when he's doing some of those things. But it looks like he's moving around pretty good.''
Roethlisberger said he felt ''good'' but declined to expand. Haley doesn't expect there to be any limitations to the playbook though he joked he might not call as many designed run plays for his quarterback, who never met a play he didn't like to extend.
''I think he understands his body better than anybody,'' Haley said. ''He's the one that's got to make the decisions and we'll just try to put him in the best positions to succeed.''
The Steelers went 1-2 in Roethlisberger's absence, including a 23-20 victory over Baltimore last week behind backup Charlie Batch. While Batch's steady performance against the Ravens kept Pittsburgh's playoff hopes alive, the team hopes to hit its stride with a healthy Roethlisberger under center.
''When Ben's in it's just a whole different level of game planning and things that teams have to do just to compensate for how athletic he is,'' wide receiver Mike Wallace said. ''I think he brings a dimension to the team that nobody else can bring.''
Related Stories
Trending Now
-
Warriors fans killed in shooting
Two Golden State Warriors fans were killed in a shooting following Thursday night's p... -
Birdwoman says sorry for gesture
Heat fan Filomena "Birdwoman" Tobias is trying to bury the middle finger once and for... -
Earnhardt fond of 'home' track
Junior will try to make some more fond memories at Charlotte. -
Ex-US Open champ Venturi, 82, dies
Former U.S. Open champion Ken Venturi has died just 12 days after he was inducted int... -
Report: Phelps planning Rio comeback
Is Michael Phelps planning a comeback?
NFL Videos
Schrager: Irvin suspended four games
Posted: May 17, 2013
Peter Schrager on the four-game suspension handed down to Seattle's Bruce Irvin.
Peter Schrager on the four-game suspension handed down to Seattle's Bruce Irvin.
Luck visits IMS for Indy 500 practice
Posted: May 17, 2013
Hear what Colts QB Andrew Luck has to say about IndyCar racing.
Hear what Colts QB Andrew Luck has to say about IndyCar racing.
NFL Headlines
More Than Sports on MSN
Fox Sports Store
| itemName | itemURL | imageSrc | price | itemDescription |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nike New York Jets Just Do It T-Shirt - Green - | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_New_York_Jets/browse/featuredproduct/800466/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_800000/ff_800466_xl.jpg&w=100 | 27.95 | Nike New York Jets Just Do It T-Shirt - Green - |
| Nike Pittsburgh Steelers Just Do It T-Shirt - Gold | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Pittsburgh_Steelers/browse/featuredproduct/800489/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_800000/ff_800489_xl.jpg&w=100 | 27.95 | Nike Pittsburgh Steelers Just Do It T-Shirt - Gold |
| Nike San Francisco 49ers Blockbuster T-Shirt - Scarlet | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_San_Francisco_49ers/browse/featuredproduct/801102/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_801000/ff_801102_xl.jpg&w=100 | 27.95 | Nike San Francisco 49ers Blockbuster T-Shirt - Scarlet |
| Nike Calvin Johnson Detroit Lions Game Jersey - Light Blue | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Detroit_Lions/browse/featuredproduct/825450/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_825000/ff_825450_xl.jpg&w=100 | 99.95 | Nike Calvin Johnson Detroit Lions Game Jersey - Light Blue |
| Nike Rob Gronkowski New England Patriots Game Jersey - Navy Blue | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_New_England_Patriots/browse/featuredproduct/825465/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_825000/ff_825465_xl.jpg&w=100 | 99.95 | Nike Rob Gronkowski New England Patriots Game Jersey - Navy Blue |
| Nike Eli Manning New York Giants Womens Game Jersey - Royal Blue | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_New_York_Giants/browse/featuredproduct/830781/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_830000/ff_830781_xl.jpg&w=100 | 94.95 | Nike Eli Manning New York Giants Womens Game Jersey - Royal Blue |
| Nike Peyton Manning Denver Broncos Game Jersey - Orange | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Denver_Broncos/browse/featuredproduct/845755/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_845000/ff_845755_xl.jpg&w=100 | 99.95 | Nike Peyton Manning Denver Broncos Game Jersey - Orange |
| Nike Justin Blackmon Jacksonville Jaguars Draft Game Jersey - Teal | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Jacksonville_Jaguars/browse/featuredproduct/851602/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_851000/ff_851602_xl.jpg&w=100 | 49.99 | Nike Justin Blackmon Jacksonville Jaguars Draft Game Jersey - Teal |
| New Era Green Bay Packers On-Field Performance 59FIFTY Fitted Hat - Green | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Green_Bay_Packers/browse/featuredproduct/853845/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_853000/ff_853845_xl.jpg&w=100 | 34.95 | New Era Green Bay Packers On-Field Performance 59FIFTY Fitted Hat - Green |
| New Era New Orleans Saints On-Field Performance 59FIFTY Fitted Hat - Black | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_New_Orleans_Saints/browse/featuredproduct/853852/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_853000/ff_853852_xl.jpg&w=100 | 34.95 | New Era New Orleans Saints On-Field Performance 59FIFTY Fitted Hat - Black |
Member Comments
Please note by clicking on "Post comment" you acknowledge that you have read the Terms of Use and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Be Polite. Inappropriate posts may be removed by the moderator.