While he’s unlikely to play Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs, starting Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger hopes to practice fully this week just the same.
“I am excited to get out there and do a little more than I have been doing last week,” Roethlisberger said on Wednesday.
Roethlisberger, who has missed the Steelers last three games with a sprained left MCL, was asked about how his recovery process has been going and specifically if it’s more of a stability or pain tolerance issue with his left knee at this point.
“I think I can deal with pain,” he said. “Adrenaline helps with that a lot. It’s the stability.”
As expected, Roethlisberger will be wearing a brace this week in practice and likely several more weeks moving forward.
“We have six different knee braces to try,” Roethlisberger said on Wednesday. “[Team trainer] John Norwig will tape it, too. Today will be a trial and error type thing.”
Even when he picks the right one, Roethlisberger knows that he will need some time to get used to it.
“I’ve never [used a brace] before,” Roethlisberger said. “I have no idea what it’s like to run, move, if it will bump my other leg. I’m not really sure yet.”
On Tuesday, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said the team is entering their week of practice with Landry Jones as the starter. However, if Tomlin is convinced Roethlisberger is able to move well and protect himself prior to Sunday, threre’s a slight chance he might allow him to start, or at worst, let him dress and serve as the No. 2 to Jones.
Roethlisberger has never missed more than three games in a row during his career due to an injury.
