The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the St. Louis Rams on Sunday afternoon, but they could have sustained a crippling injury that threatens to derail the season. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was hit by safety Mark Barron and went down in a heap, clutching his left knee. Medical personnel rushed onto the field before helping Roethlisberger off the field and eventually, onto a cart into the locker room. However, all might not be lost.
Ben Roethlisberger expected to miss at least 4 weeks with knee injury, source tells ESPN. He will undergo an MRI Monday; hoping ACL intact.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 27, 2015
This would be consistent with what Roethlisberger told star receiver Antonio Brown, stating that he will return sometime during the 2015 National Football League, per Bill Phillips of WPXI.
A. Brown spoke with #Steelers QB Roethlisberger-he told Roethlisberger gave him the impression he will "absolutely" be back this year @WPXI
— Bill Phillips (@WTOV_BPhillips) September 27, 2015
If true, the Steelers would be dodging a huge bullet. Pittsburgh has a very shaky defense and needs Roethlisberger, Brown, Le’Veon Bell and Heath Miller to produce every week. Should Roethlisberger be out for an extended period of time, the Steelers would be pinning their hopes on Michael Vick, who was unsigned into the preseason. Vick was eventually signed by Pittsburgh after Bruce Gradkowski went down with an injury.
Pittsburgh is sitting at 2-1 after losing to the New England Patriots in the season-opener, then rebounding to defeat the San Francisco 49ers and Rams. The Steelers are a game behind the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC North, but are one game ahead of the Cleveland Browns and two ahead of the Baltimore Ravens, who plays Pittsburgh at Heinz Field on Thursday Night Football.