Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger told reporters Tuesday that he didn’t have Tommy John surgery. Here’s what really happened to his elbow.
There has been a lot of speculation as to what exactly the injury was that Ben Roethlisberger suffered back in Week 2 against the Seattle Seahawks in 2019. Clearly wincing in pain after throwing the ball, the Steelers quarterback was ultimately pulled from the game after the first half and would later land on IR.
It was speculated that his elbow would require Tommy John surgery – something very few NFL quarterbacks have successfully bounced back from. Former Carolina Panthers quarterback, Jake Delhomme required this surgery later in his career but was never able to bounce back to starting form.
Fortunately, there is good news for Steelers fans. Ben Roethlisberger spoke with the media for the first time regarding his surgically repaired elbow. During this time, he assured reporters that he did not have Tommy John surgery. Here’s what NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport had to say on the subject:
#Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger tells reporters that he tore three flexor tendons off the bone, elbow surgery he believes no QB has ever come back from. Not Tommy John, but somewhat similar and very serious. That he looks and feels this good is impressive.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 4, 2020
Though Roethlisberger apparently did not have Tommy John surgery, tearing three flexor tendons off the bone is still a very serious injury, and Rapoport called it “impressive” that he looks and feels as good as he does.
After a long road to recovery for the better half of a year, Roethlisberger is in camp and slinging the football. While it still remains to be seen how his elbow will hold up throughout the course of the season, we have to assume that offensive coordinator, Randy Fichtner, plans to ease him back into action.
In 2018, Roethlisberger led all quarterbacks with 675 passing attempts – crushing his previous career-high of 608 in 2014. We are now going on two seasons since that point, and it’s probably safe to assume that that number will dip by at least 100 attempts this season.
Obviously, how Ben claims his elbow is feeling from week to week could play a huge factor in the Steelers determining their offensive gameplan. Very few NFL quarterbacks have come back from such serious injuries to their throwing arms this late in their careers… But then again, Ben Roethlisberger isn’t your typical passer.
Ready and determined to make another run at a Super Bowl in 2020, Big Ben will do what is asked of him to give his team the best chance of winning this year. Let’s hope his elbow can hold up throughout the season.