Are the Steelers Concerned about Roethlisberger’s Knee?

Conclusion

Since the Dallas game, any injury to Ben’s knee has not been listed. Officially there is no injury. Here is where it gets a bit murky. Specifically, relating to the NFL rules on reporting injuries. First, we know the Steelers have not listed any injury to Ben’s knee on the injury report. Which then, officially, he is not injured.

Secondly, as has happened all season, Ben generally sits out Wednesday’s practice. This notation always gets designated on the injury report as missed practice, not injury-related. One can look on the Steelers home page at the injury reports every week. Here is the shadowy part of injury designations. Suppose Ben has injured his knee. However, for whatever reason, the injury is not treatable, and or Ben does not receive treatment for it. If that is the case, and there is no active treatment, or nothing can improve the condition, then technically, the Steelers do not have to disclose the injury.

So anyone who has followed the injury report knows any knee injury has not materialized. Yet others have reported it or made observations his knee is bothering him. It makes one wonder if perhaps Ben is a bit more injured than initially thought even though it has not been reported.

There is no way to know if this is conjecture or if something has happened. We know the Steelers offense has been out of rhythm in the last five games. Plus, Ben has not made as many big plays recently. Since the Dallas game, even the Steelers’ play-calling has become one dimensional. Leaving fans to wonder what the coaches are thinking.

If the play calling is catering to an injury Ben has, it makes sense of the play calling. However, if the Steelers had a rushing game the last few weeks, perhaps Ben’s play might have been overlooked. What is certain is that when they play Cleveland, if the Browns score close to the 42 points they posted against the Ravens on Monday night, the Steelers could find themselves in another deep offensive hole.

Perhaps the Steelers will bounce back in the next three weeks, that’s possible, or at least in the playoffs. However, if Ben continues to struggle, it could be because he is trying to play through an injury, which could impact the Steelers more if he sits out. Possibly that is the case, perhaps not. We do not know for sure. We do know there is cause for concern, though.