Ben Roethlisberger Injury: Steelers QB a Risky Fantasy Starter Moving Forward?

According to a report on PFT Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger left Reliant Stadium in Houston in a walking boot and had his foot x-rayed after injuring it in the fourth quarter of Pittsburgh's loss to the Texans. Roethlisberger is reportedly scheduled for an MRI on Monday, but it doesn't take a doctor to see what the eighth-year pro's biggest problem is.

The Steelers' patchwork offensive line has been horrendous of late, allowing five sacks and innumerable pressures to the Texans today, and entered Week 4 tied with the Chicago Bears for the most sacks allowed in the National Football League. Folks, that ain't good.

Additionally, the pathetic play from the offensive front has severely hindered the Pittsburgh ground attack, which managed only 118 rushing yards against a Texans D that was middle of the pack in run defense after three games. Pittsburgh came into today ranked 23rd in the NFL in rushing offense, unheard of from a team that prides itself on playing smash-mouth football, and this lack of a running game is allowing opposing defenses to pin their ears back and get after Big Ben.

There's no easy solution or quick fix in sight for the Steelers offensive line, nor is there any real reason to believe their play will suddenly improve, so odds are Pittsburgh will continue to struggle both in running the ball and protecting Ben Roethlisberger, meaning he will continue to absorb an inordinate amount of punishment.

These factors combined make it a very real possibility that at some point Ben Roethlisberger will be forced from the field, and even should he manage to stay out there and upright for any length of time he'll be hard-pressed to produce consistently, making him a very risky fantasy bet for as long as the Steelers O-line woes continue.