Roethlisberger has sore shoulder, expected to play against Browns
Roethlisberger played three quarters of the Steelers’ 38-17 win over the Houston Texans in the season opener Sunday. He is expected to play Sunday against the Browns in Cleveland. “We will see what he looks like when he comes in here (Wednesday),” coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday.
“It was just a little sore from playing in the football game.”
Roethlisberger was thrown to the turf on a second-quarter sack by Houston’s Mario Williams. He also appeared shaken on the next-to-last play of the first half after taking a shot to the leg by Amobi Okoye after completing a pass.
He remained in the game, however, and was pulled in the second half only because of Pittsburgh’s lopsided lead.
Roethlisberger, a Pro Bowl selection last season who completed 13 of 14 passes for 137 yards and two touchdowns Sunday, has missed at least one game in each of the last three seasons because of injury.
Tomlin also said left tackle Marvel Smith and cornerback Deshea Townsend won’t fully participate in practice this week. Smith has a groin strain and Townsend a bruised heel. Both are expected to play Sunday.
Pittsburgh has won six straight season openers, the longest active streak in the league.
“I am not going to complain about winning by 21 points,” Tomlin said. “But some of the things that you begin to know about yourself when you get in games that come down to the wire are still unanswered for us.”
Copyright Associated Press 2008