Ben Roethlisberger Says His Arm Feels Fine after First Game Back
Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger’s surgically repaired right elbow passed yet another test on Monday as he was able to perform solidly in his team’s 26-16 opening-night victory over the New York Giants.
There was certainly some rust that needed knocked off, three new passing targets to get better acquainted with and more, but from a physical standpoint, Roethlisberger passed with flying colors.
Two days after the game, Roethlisberger said on Wednesday that his body is still sore from the abuse administered by the Giants’ defense. But his arm is doing just fine.
“I was saying today I feel like I was just in a car accident,” he said. “Yesterday, I felt like I was in a train wreck. Hopefully, tomorrow it just feels like I fell off a bike or something. I’m definitely sore. The good news is my arm is the only thing that doesn’t hurt. That’s good.”
Roethlisberger said hasn’t had to change much about his arm-care routine, either. Monday night, he wore a compression sleeve over the elbow during play and then a larger, jacket sleeve over it at times on the sideline.
‘That’s a sleeve from a heavy jacket that the equipment guys made for me,” Roethlisberger said. “Rather than put the whole jacket on when it’s warm out, we just have that on the side to keep the elbow warm, kind of like a pitcher if you will. It got a little cool down there at times with the breeze. So, I was just doing what the doctor ordered and keeping my elbow warm.”
In between games, it’s mostly going to be the same routine Roethlisberger has utilized the last few seasons with an off day Wednesday before practicing Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
“We will just keep the same routine in terms of Wednesday rest day and then get back into it,” he said. “The biggest thing I’ve been told from the doctors is keep it warm, hence the sleeve on the sideline and the sleeve I wore during the game. That’s going to be the biggest thing from what I have been told is making sure it stays warm, throw some passes on the sidelines if there is a long series or something.”
Considering what Roethlisberger has been through over the last year — detailed in his ongoing docuseries “Bigger Than Ben” — that seems like small task to be able to keep the quarterback on the field and playing at a high level.
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