Ben Roethlisberger Responds to Broncos Suggesting He Faked Shoulder Injury

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was flabbergasted by comments from Denver Broncos stars Aqib Talib and Von Miller, who claimed the star signal-caller wasn't injured after their divisional-round playoff matchup.

Roethlisberger played through torn shoulder ligaments in his right throwing shoulder in a 23-16 loss and spoke about the Broncos' remarks and his impending recovery Tuesday in an interview with CBS' 93.7 The Fan in Pittsburgh:

"

Unbelievable, right? It makes no sense, but it is what it is.

[...]

It won't need surgery. I guess the ligaments will, you know, scar up and heal on their own. Obviously, we'll be dealing with a little bit of pain and some limited movement here for a little bit, but supposedly it will heal on its own.

"

Per NFL.com's Gregg Rosenthal, Talib had previously said, "Ben was healthy as hell. He didn't fool anybody."

Miller said, per ESPN.com's Jeff Legwold, "No, he didn't [look hurt], but like I said, like I said, I read through the bluff...I read through the bluff."

Although Big Ben did air out an incomplete pass on the first play from scrimmage that traveled more than 50 yards in the air, he was aided by the Denver altitude. He's also been known to gut through injuries and is, after all, 6'5" and 240 pounds.   

Playing through considerable pain against a Broncos defense that ranked first against the pass this season was a daunting task for Roethlisberger. The 33-year-old was also down his best receiver in Antonio Brown, along with his best two running backs in Le'Veon Bell and DeAngelo Williams.

Pro Football Focus highlighted how often Roethlisberger was under siege in the divisional round—only adding to the adversity:

Despite those key absences from the lineup and relentless pressure, Roethlisberger still went 24-of-37 passing for 339 yards against Denver.

The Steelers did well to make it as far as they did considering the circumstances, the numerous key injuries and Roethlisberger's multiple ailments suffered throughout the year. 

The signal-caller dealt with an MCL sprain and a bone bruise in his left knee, a sprained left foot, a concussion and then the shoulder issues as well.

If Pittsburgh can simply get healthy on offense in 2016 and protect Roethlisberger a bit better, it figures to be right back in the playoff conversation and possibly in line for a third Super Bowl in the Big Ben era.

Such chatter by Talib is only bound to motivate Roethlisberger and Co. as they try to bounce back next season. Talib's side, meanwhile, faces a lot less certainty under center amid what may be Peyton Manning's final year of football and with his potential successor, Brock Osweiler, due to hit free agency.