Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger Set to Return from Injury Against Chargers

Pittsburgh Steelers starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will return to the lineup in the team's Week 14 matchup with the San Diego Chargers, according to head coach Mike Tomlin.

Per a post from Teresa Varley on the Steelers' website:

"

Roethlisberger practiced for the second straight day on Thursday, and Coach Mike Tomlin was comfortable enough with what he saw to say Roethlisberger will start this week.

He has been above the line in all areas,” said Tomlin following Thursday’s practice. “Really, the only question we can’t answer is taking a hit. Obviously that will be answered in the stadium on Sunday.

"

Roethlisberger is coming off injuries to both his shoulder and his ribs, but the likelihood that the veteran quarterback is fully healthy is very low. With a porous offensive line, Pittsburgh is likely risking further injury to its star signal-caller.

That said, it was only a matter of time before Big Ben talked his way back onto the field. He is well aware that the Steelers need him to make a push for the postseason. 

With 2,287 yards and 17 touchdowns through the first nine games of the season, Roethlisberger was on fire and helping his team move in the right direction. With backup Byron Leftwich and then Charlie Batch taking over the role of starting quarterback, the team was playing terribly.

His return couldn’t have come at a better time.

The Steelers are fighting to stay in the playoff hunt, and will attempt to sneak into the playoffs as a wild-card team unless their AFC North foes, the Baltimore Ravens, undergo an epic collapse in the final weeks of the season.

Putting Roethlisberger back in the lineup gives Pittsburgh the offensive prowess to steal victories down the stretch and potentially end up with a spot in the postseason.

If the team can continue to get healthy across the board and avoid any other catastrophic injuries, there is little doubt that Big Ben will give his team the chance to make some noise down the stretch.

Follow @Donald_Wood