Big Ben's MRI negative...may play this week?

[Baclava]

Woo-hoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By Teresa Varley
Steelers.com

Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger had an MRI on his knee on Tuesday morning after the team returned from San Diego and the results were the same as what the team heard following the game.

Roethlisberger has a hyperextended knee and a bone bruise and has not been ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Heinz Field.

“We’ll see how the week progresses,” said head coach Bill Cowher. “I think we all have a deep sigh of relief in regards to the prognosis.”

Roethlisberger suffered the injury in the final minute the 24-22 win over the Chargers. Charlie Batch came in and handed the ball off for the final few plays, before Jeff Reed sealed the win with a field goal.

Batch could be called upon again this week, depending on how the injuries to Roethlisberger and back-up Tommy Maddox progress this week.

“Based on the information I have right now, Charlie Batch is the starter by default until I see more.”

Maddox suffered a calf injury in practice on Friday and did not make the trip to San Diego. Maddox was at the team’s practice facility on Tuesday morning, and his prognosis seems better than expected as well.

“When he got injured on Friday we thought it was a lot like Jerome (Bettis) in terms of the extent of it,” said Cowher. Tommy came in this morning and felt pretty good. I think he is going practice tomorrow. There is a good chance he will be available this week as well.

“The dire situation we thought coming in this morning doesn’t appear that right now.”

[timber84]

1. Thank God!

[edbermac]

2. Ditto...that looked nasty...

Was it Joe Theismann for the Redskins who got hit and his leg broke in two? They played it a few times over and you could see it just snap like a twig...

edit: 1985 or 1986 I think, hit by Lawrence Taylor of the Giants

[Ravenseye]

4. Yeah I remmeber the Theismann injury

was watching it. ack. His leg bent in a place it wasn't supposed to. So nasty.

THis one wasn't so bad, but was still scary. Just having them cut to seeing Big Ben on the turf was enough to make some people's hearts skip a beat. Then seeing the replay with the knee getting knocked straight back....yikes.

So glad he's ok. I can't imagine what would happen to the STeelers season if Charlie Batch was the QB the rest of the way.

[blue neen]

3. What a relief!

I'm so happy that the Steelers won AND that Big Ben is okay!

[Ravenseye]

5. I hope he rests

He's such a tough guy and a competetor, he'll probably push to play next weekend, but I'd rather have Batch in for a game against Jacksonville and rest Ben for one week, rather than have him risk exacerbating a mild injury into a season ending one.

[Politically_Wrong]

6. I agree...

He probably will push to play...but having Batch in so Roethlisberger can rest would be a smart thing to do...We need Roethlisberger for games that are later in the season (like the playoffs...i hope) and running the risk of something happening to his leg is not worth it this early...

[datadiva]

7. Thank you

Thank you, thank you, thank you. Geez I was so worried. Big sigh of relief!