Report: Ben Roethlisberger wants to play Week 6, but considered longshot

By Jesse Reed.

There isn’t a player in the NFL tougher than Ben Roethlisberger, who is reportedly aiming for a return in Week 6 to play against his old offensive coordinator Bruce Arians, now head coach of the Arizona Cardinals.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter has the details, and he says the “Steelers have not ruled out” the possibility of Big Ben playing, but noted it’s a “longshot.”

Roethlisberger suffered a nasty-looking blow to the leg back in Week 3 against the St. Louis Rams when safety Mark Barron accidentally fell into the leg. The diagnosis was an MCL sprain and a bone bruise — the latter being the more significant concern.

Roethlisberger was spotted jogging gingerly. during pregame warmups in San Diego on Monday night. 

ESPN injury analyst Stephania Bell says the biggest factors for a return would be “relief of symptoms, return of strength and functionality.” At the time of his diagnosis, the timetable for his return was set at between 4-6 weeks.

If Roethlisberger were to gut it out in Week 6, he’d be coming back after only three weeks of rest. If anyone can do it, he surely can. That said, as much as he wants to play now, taking the cautious route might be better for the team, and Roethlisberger, in the long run.

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