PITTSBURGH -- Right arm tucked into a black sling, weary eyes betraying a decided lack of sleep, Ben Roethlis berger tried to stay positive after the worst -- and by far the most harrowing -- injury of his career.
The Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback believes he can return this season despite spraining his right shoulder and suffering what he called a dislocated rib in Monday night’s overtime win against Kansas City.
He’s just not sure when he’ll be ready. And his medical team appears nowhere close to figuring out how exactly to get him there.
"From what [the doctor] said he’s trying to talk to experts because there is no case study over the exact same thing," Roethlisberger said Wednesday. "We’re just trying to talk to people ... because we don’t know."
All Roethlisberger knows for certain is that doctors are concerned the rib -- which he injured while getting sacked by a pair of Kansas City linebackers in the third quarter on Monday -- could puncture his aorta if jostled around.
He also knows he’ll be a spectator indefinitely while the surging Steelers (6-3) try to track down AFC North-leading Balti more (7-2). The rivals meet twice over the next three weeks, with the first showdown coming Sunday night at Heinz Field. Veteran backup Byron Leftwich will take the snaps in Roethlis berger’s place, looking for his first win as a starter in six years.
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The Steelers have been forced to play with Roethlisberger occasionally over the last nine seasons, going 8-5 without their franchise cornerstone since 2004. Four of those losses, however, have come against the Ravens.
Still, Roethlisberger remains optimistic he’ll be back to work at some point over the next seven weeks. Asked if he thinks the injury is season-ending, the two-time Super Bowl winner shrugged his one good shoulder and attempted to remain upbeat.
"I don’t think so, I don’t know though but I’m not a medical expert," Roethlis berger said. "I just know I’m going to do what I can to get back."
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