Rams Vs. Steelers: Will Ben Roethlisberger Play This Week?

by Ryan Van Bibber on Dec 21, 2011 9:06 AM CST in 2011 NFL regular season

Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers is helped off the ground after he was sacked by the San Francisco 49ers at Candlestick Park on December 19, 2011 in San Francisco, California.

The St. Louis Rams travel to Pittsburgh in Week 16 for a Christmas Eve game against the Steelers. Of course, the question on everyone's mind is whether or not Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will play this week. The answer is that Roethlisberger's status is unknown at this time.

Roethlisberger will be evaluated at Wednesday's practice, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Whether or not he plays against the Rams will be determined closer to Saturday.

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin spent the better part of yesterday defending his decision to start and leave his starting quarterback in the game against the 49ers, a game they because of Roethlisberger's inability to play through his injury.

The Rams can certainly empathize with the situation in the Steel City. Sam Bradford is still sidelined with a high ankle injury himself, and the team took some heat for playing him in a Week 14 Monday Night game against the Seahawks. Bradford is unlikely to play this week as well, but the team has not ruled him out.

If the Rams situation with Bradford offers any insight, then don't expect Roethlisberger to play. Charlie Batch would start in his place, and the Rams defense could make some noise. However, the odds of the moribund Rams offense putting points on the board against the vaunted Steelers' defense, who will have James Harrison back in action following his one-game suspension, looks like one of the more lopsided matchups of the season.

Tweet Comment 5 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

The Holiday Season Has Slowed Things Down At Work

It gives me the chance to read the TST post and enjoy. I doubt if Big Ben plays. Charlie Batch is more than capable of running the offense while Ben is mending.

by ValdezY on Dec 21, 2011 10:08 AM CST reply actions

I wish I could agree with you about Batch….I really really wish I could.

Boy, I'm three generations deep, in gangstadom

by FrankWyt on Dec 21, 2011 11:50 AM CST up reply actions

I know you guys have a tough time

writing meaningful posts, but who gives a rat’’s ass? The only moment I enjoyed from last week’s game was Harvey Dahl’s comment about holding. We don’t have a fart’s chance in a wind tunnel against the Steelers regardless.

Gold and Blue, through and through.

by Brawnwitch on Dec 21, 2011 10:22 AM CST reply actions 1 recs