Roethlisberger Practicing, Will Start vs. Chargers

By WagerWeb.com Contributing Writer

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That extra week off heading into the playoffs was a godsend for Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger, who says he is 100 percent healthy from a scary concussion suffered in Week 17 against the Browns and ready to start against the San Diego Chargers on Sunday.

Host Pittsburgh is a 6-point favorite on WagerWeb.com.

Big Ben practiced fully Monday after passing the standard NFL test to gauge where a player is physically and mentally following a concussion.

“The next test I’m going to face is Sunday against the Chargers,” Roethlisberger said. “I plan on being out there and being 100 percent and ready to go.”

Roethlisberger also sustained a concussion in a motorcycle accident in June 2006. He had another concussion in October 2006 against the Atlanta Falcons. He returned to play the following week and had one of the worst games of his career, throwing four interceptions, two returned for touchdowns, in a loss to the Oakland Raiders. The difference this time being that Big Ben had the extra week off.



“It’s nice that we had the week off. That’s a big help,” said Roethlisberger, who admitted he didn’t have feeling in his arms immediately after the hit by Cleveland’s D’Qwell Jackson and Willie McGinest. “We’re taking every precaution necessary with doctors and everybody.”

The Steelers practiced twice during the bye week, but Roethsliberger did not participate in either. He threw for 308 yards in that Week 11 win against San Diego but was held without a touchdown by the NFL’s No. 31 pass defense. The Chargers ranked only 22nd with 28 sacks, but got to Roethlisberger four times that day.

Roethlisberger said he would do nothing differently as far as risk-taking or wear a special helmet Sunday, saying, “we are putting all that in the past and moving on.”

Still, three concussions in less than three full years has to be a concern for Steelers officials. It’s that type of recurring injury that ended early the careers of quarterbacks Steve Young and Troy Aikman, among others. And Big Ben has been prone to the sack in the past few years, so one big hit …

Other than Big Ben, the Steelers are quite healthy, with every stater practicing Monday, including safety Ryan Clark and linebacker James Harrison, who missed the Dec. 28 game against Cleveland. They should be able to start Sunday.

Bet on the Chargers @ Steelers