Roethlisberger to sit out against Ravens
November 29, 2009
PITTSBURGH (AP)—Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger(notes) will miss Sundaynight’s game at Baltimore because of a concussion, an unforeseen developmentthat forces the inexperienced Dennis Dixon(notes) to start one of the Super Bowlchampions’ biggest games this season.
Dixon, the former Oregon star, has spent most of the season as the No. 3quarterback running the Steelers’ scout team during practice. He has thrown onlyone NFL pass in two seasons, but must play because both Roethlisberger andbackup Charlie Batch(notes) were hurt during a 27-24 overtime loss to Kansas City lastweek.
Roethlisberger practiced all week despite sustaining his fourth concussionsince 2006. On Thursday, during his only interview of the week, he said he hadbeen cleared to play, joking he passed “thousands of tests.”
Roethlisberger, however, experienced headaches resulting from the concussion— his head struck the knee of Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson as he leanedheadfirst during a running play in overtime—and he began debating the wisdomof playing after consulting with the team’s medical staff.
The Steelers decided Saturday that Roethlisberger will play only in anemergency. He will be the No. 3 quarterback, with former Pitt starter TylerPalko(notes)—who was signed only Thursday and doesn’t know the offense—as Dixon’sbackup.
FoxSports.com first reported that Roethlisberger would not play.
The Steelers (6-4), losers of their last two and a game behind Cincinnati(7-3) in the AFC North, were so convinced Roethlisberger would play, they didnot sign an experienced quarterback even after Batch broke his left wrist a fewplays after replacing Roethlisberger on Sunday. Their game plan for the Ravens(5-5) also was built around Roethlisberger playing.
Coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday the team expected Roethlisberger to play, andthere were no signs Wednesday or Thursday he wouldn’t. Dixon took more snapsthan usual in practice Friday—the first sign Roethlisberger’s status mightchange.
The Steelers likely will rely mostly on running backs Rashard Mendenhall(notes) andWillie Parker(notes) and limit the amount of throws Dixon makes. Dixon was an excellentrunner in Oregon’s spread offense, but the Steelers—like every NFL team—don’t want their quarterback running consistently because of the risk of injury.
Dixon’s only game action came in a mop-up role against Cleveland in thefinal game of last season, after Roethlisberger also received a concussion.Dixon will be the most inexperienced Steelers quarterback to be thrown into astarting role since rookie Mike Kruczek replaced the injured Terry Bradshaw in1976. Kruczek went 6-0 as a starter despite not throwing a single touchdownpass, and ended his five-season NFL career in 1980 without throwing a scoringpass.
Roethlisberger’s decision to not play comes in the same week the NFL hastaken a heightened stance on protecting players from head injuries. NFLcommissioner Roger Goodell sent a memo to teams outlining steps the league istaking to reduce head impacts.
Roethlisberger also had two concussions in 2006, one in a motorcycleaccident, and the other last season.
“It’s part of the nature of the beast of playing this game,”Roethlisberger said Thursday. “It’s a violent, physical contact sport andthere’s a chance you’re going to get hit. You guys don’t talk about the bruiseswe have all over our bodies. If I showed you a bruise on my shoulder and abruise on my shin, it wouldn’t get talked about as much. It’s a violent sport weplay.”