Steelers Injury Updates
Steelers ‘Optimistic’ for Davis, Haden, Pouncey, Smith-Schuster, Watt vs. Seahawks
PITTSBURGH — Mike Tomlin said that he is “optimistic” that several of the team’s players that suffered injuries in their season-opening loss to the New England Patriots will be able to suit up this Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks.
Tomlin listed cornerback Joe Haden (shoulder), center Maurkice Pouncey (ankle), wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (toe) and outside linebacker T.J. Watt (hip) as players with injuries after the game.
“They may be limited at some portions of the week, early portions of the week, but we’re all optimistic about their availability,” Tomlin said. “The week will tell their story as we work.”
Tomlin also included safety Sean Davis (ankle) as a player that could play this week. He was the Steelers’ lone injury absence during Week 1. Kameron Kelly started at free safety in place of Davis.
Smith-Schuster had x-rays on his toe that were reportedly negative for a fracture and may have a sprain. Haden reportedly sprained the AC joint in his shoulder. He was able to return to the game against New England.
Smith-Schuster and Pouncey were injured late in the game. Haden was replaced at corner by Artie Burns. Anthony Chickillo replaced Watt at left outside linebacker.
Steelers Injury Updates
Steelers GM Kevin Colbert Thinks Ben Roethlisberger Could Be Even Better Post-Surgery
INDIANAPOLIS — While much of the football world frets about whether Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will be able to return to his All-Pro form after season-ending elbow surgery in 2019, Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert is wondering about something else.
He’s wondering if Roethlisberger can be even better than he was before the injury.
Colbert feels that the time off from the game and lack of wear and tear over the nine months could be beneficial for Roethlisberger come September, and he also wonders if the injury wasn’t precipitated by a period of less than full performance from Roethlisberger’s right arm.
“He didn’t play a season, so physically, he should be better,” Colbert said while speaking with local reporters at the NFL Combine. “The arm, who knows? His arm might be stronger coming out of the surgery. You never know the extent of an injury. When it happens, it happens, but how long was it bothering him without him evening knowing it?”
The Steelers have not disclosed the nature of the surgical procedure that Roethlisberger underwent in September. Baseball pitchers that undergo Tommy John surgery on their throwing elbow do sometimes see an increase in velocity after the surgery, so Colbert’s idea is not without merit.
He’s also not concerned about the conditioning level of his 37-year old quarterback. Roethlisberger took some criticism in the national media for his apparent level of fitness in a video released by the team over the week of him resuming throwing a football.
“His physical shape is fine,” Colbert said. “I never worry about a player’s physical appearance in the offseason.”
Colbert did not give a specific date for when he feels Roethlisberger will be able to return to the football field and said the Steelers’ focus is on the start of the season and not a particular portion of the offseason workouts.
“We have to make sure that he is there for September,” Colbert said. “I think that’s something that the docs will figure out. Everyone understands that it’s game days that are most important, but of course participating in OTAs or whatever he can will be part of his ability to have a great season.”
Colbert did admit that rust and adjusting to new teammates will be factors for Roethlisberger to overcome, but on the whole, feels positive about his quarterback’s prognosis for 2020.
“I’m encouraged an excited about where he can go.”
More positive news on the injury front for Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.
According to the Post-Gazette’s Ron Cook, Roethlisberger received a “good report” from his doctor visit on Friday.
Ben Roethlisberger on doctor visit Friday: "It was a good report. I got to bypass the tennis ball throwing for a month and go right to the football. Still going to be about 2.5-3 months until I get total clearance from doc but we are doing good!
— Ron Cook (@RonCookPG) February 23, 2020
He added that he will have full clearance in about two-and-a-half to three months, but that his rehab is progressing well.
The Steelers lit social media ablaze Saturday afternoon, posting a video of Roethlisberger throwing a football for the first time since undergoing elbow surgery five months ago.
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) February 22, 2020
Continuing his conversation with Cook, Roethlisberger said “it felt amazing to throw” and that “it was hard to hold the smile in.”
Ben Roethlisberger on throwing a football Saturday for the first time since his elbow surgery: "It felt amazing to throw. It was hard to hold the smile in. 2 more throwing sessions while I’m out here in California and then headed back to the burgh."
— Ron Cook (@RonCookPG) February 23, 2020
Roethlisberger played just two games in 2019, injuring his elbow in the first half of the Steelers’ Week 2 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.
He will be 38 years-old when the Steelers kickoff the 2020 season, the 17th of his career.
Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has apparently been cleared to resume throwing after undergoing season-ending elbow surgery in 2019.
The team released a video of Roethlisberger throwing in a gym on Saturday, almost exactly five month after his surgery, which took place on Monday, Sept. 23, 2019.
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) February 22, 2020
The team has still not released a specific diagnosis or prognosis for Roethlisberger’s right, throwing elbow, but general manager Kevin Colbert has remained steadfast that the team expects h
“He’s a great quarterback that suffered a season-ending injury to his right arm,” Colbert said in a recent meeting with local media. “Optimistically, he’s on schedule to return and we hope he returns to a better Ben Roethlisberger.”
Roethlisberger, 37, played in just two games in 2019, leaving the Steelers’ Week 2 loss to Seattle in the first half. He finished with 351 yards on 35 of 62 passing and set career lows in completion percentage (56.5) and passer rating (66.0)
He is entering the first year of a two-year contract extension that will pay him $21 million in 2020.
