‘Big Ben’ Could Play This Week

Added on Dec 28, 2011 by Jack Thurman in

NFL

The Pittsburgh Steelers have managed to do well this season despite a variety of injuries but clearly they’re hoping for better luck heading into the playoffs. Coach Mike Tomlin did sound a hopeful note earlier this week regarding the status of starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and center Maurkice Pouncey saying there’s ‘a shot’ that both could be back in action against Cleveland on Sunday.

At any rate, Tomlin isn’t planning on holding them out with the playoffs looming:

“It is our intention right now that if those guys are healthy enough to practice and prepare, then we will play them.”

Backup quarterback Charlie Batch was solid in relief of Roethlisberger last weekend, leading the Steelers to an easy 27-0 victory over hapless St. Louis. According to Tomlin, Batch’s strong play won’t be a factor in determining the assignments for this weekend:

“I thought he did some really good things. (But) his performance has no bearing on how we go about making the decisions that are right for us this week. A lot of the decisions center around Roethlisberger’s health. But I like the way Batch played, not only the way he performed but the way he led and communicated.”

Tomlin plans to wait until the last minute to decide if Roethlisberger will go. Part of the determination will be the playoff seedings:

“There are some scenarios that can unfold, where we can improve our playoff position. We are aware of that. We are also aware that all of those scenarios include us winning this football game. We are going to do what we deem necessary for us to put ourselves in position to do that.”

The Steelers may have a bigger issue at center–with Pouncey already out last week they lost their backup early in the game but got a strong performance from third stringer Trai Essex that did not go unnoticed by Tomlin:

“It was under unusual circumstances. To have a guy come in and deliver the way he delivered for us, not only in terms of snapping the football but declaring fronts and blocking people in the run game, it was just a special afternoon for him.”

There is currently no NFL betting line on the board due to the ‘questionable’ status of Roethlisberger.