Ben Roethlisberger Out For 4-6 Weeks
After receiving an MRI, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has suffered an MCL sprain and bone bruise which will sideline him for the next 4- 6 weeks. He suffered the injury during the game versus the St Louis Rams in the 3rd quarter, when he was hit in the knee during a play and was in pain for several minutes before getting off the field.
In 3 games this season for the team, Roethlisberger has thrown for 720 yards, 4 touchdowns, 1 interception, with a passer rating of 122.6. Before getting injured, in the games he has played this season, he was on pace to be having a memorable season. With the wide receivers that he has to throw the ball too, and with Matavius Bryant coming back soon, it would of only gotten better.
There is a reason why Roethlisberger is one of the best duel threats quarterbacks. He has a big arm, his strength is amazing and he knows how to get the throws on time and on target. When he does not see an open target in the pocket, he can run out of the pocket for 5 or more yards extending the play and moving the offense down the field.
Luckily for Steelers fans, this is only the opening few weeks of the season. It is good that this happened now this early into the season, and not in December when the team needs him the most for their potential playoff run. The team will need to focus more on the running game now until Roethlisberger returns to the field. Once he returns to the field, depending on any setbacks, the team will be getting a great franchise duel threat quarterback.
Until he gets back, the best option the team has at backup quarterback is former starter Michael Vick. The team signed Vick this offseason to give the them some depth at quarterback. You know exactly what you are getting with Vick. Someone who can throw the ball, but is known for running out of the pocket extending plays since he is speedy.
The expectations for Vick will not be really high, since it is early into the season. Having an all-star running back in Le’Veon Bell will take some of the pressure off of Vick when it comes to throwing the football. However, Vick will have to make some plays on his own as well. It is not going to be all on Bell, but that is where most of the focus will be on.
