UPDATE: Ben placed on IR with season ending injury

[steelreserve]

I'm reading some reports that for QBs the recovery period is closer to 7-9 months. 12-18 is what MLB pitchers face. So, it's feasible he could come back next year.

Well, QBs almost never get that injury, so it's a limited number of cases. Bottom line is it probably just depends a lot on luck.

[Crow-Magnon]

Wow. If this is the end of Ben's career, it's not what I expected. That's a blow.

Maybe.

I'm sure when the Ravens knocked Maddox out of the game and Ben took over, many thought the season was doomed. Or when Bledsoe went down and a guy named Brady went behind center. Hell, when Boller was lost and Troy Smith went down to illness, a rookie Flacco started and took the Ravens to the AFCC (I am 100% positive you all remember THAT game!). The truth is...you never know.

[AtlantaDan]

I'm reading some reports that for QBs the recovery period is closer to 7-9 months. 12-18 is what MLB pitchers face. So, it's feasible he could come back next year.

Chris Mortensen says 6 month recovery period to return to full strength if successful - Mort said he spoke with Jake Delhomme who had that Tommy John (formally known as ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) reconstruction) surgery

QBs apparently can recover more quickly since throwing a football again at full strength does not put the stress on the repaired elbow that pitching a baseball does

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/...-elbow-surgery

[fansince'76]

I'm sure when the Ravens knocked Maddox out of the game and Ben took over, many thought the season was doomed.

Not really. I knew they weren't winning anything with Turnover Tommy under center anyway, no matter how strong the rest of the roster was. In a way I was thankful (not that Maddox was injured, but that Cowher was forced to make a QB change), because God knows how long Roethlisberger would have rotted on the bench behind him otherwise. Cowher never was much for managing QBs (he also seriously undervalued the position), which was his one big weakness, IMO.

[Rotorhead]

I’m actually saying they go 3-3 in their first 6 games where before, they were going to be 0-6. Not because of Ben but because players AND COACHES are now going to have to up their game and find ways to win opposed to leaning on Ben.

I think they win this week, win next week, lose to the Ravens and beat the Chargers. Dolphins, Colts, Rams at home...that’s 5-4. I think they finish 10-6/9-7. Playoffs? Probably not...but maybe...

I think you are right on with this thinking, maybe not the outcomes, but I think everyone steps up their game for MR, kind of like they did for Ben in his first season.

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

It's still a 12 to 18 month recovery time, and even then it might take a while longer to actually be "game ready." If that's really what it is, Ben could be missing some or all of NEXT season.

Can't necessarily say it's a career-ender, since you have examples like Joe Montana coming back successfully after a full two years off in his late 30s ... but still far from guaranteed and a shit state of affairs to be in.

Heard on ESPN radio today talking about Jake Delhomme and his Tommy John surgery and he said he felt fine in 2-3 months and then the recovery was around 6 months. Says he was just as strong as before. The comment was made that throwing a baseball is a more shocking movement than throwing a Football and pitchers do a lot more of it during a season.

Still, so maybe he would come back next year for one more, but he is still at the end of the career.

[Mojouw]

Has it actually been confirmed anywhere that it is the UCL and therefore Tommy John? I read somewhere this morning that no one had said for sure. Then i stopped paying attention.

[stillers4me]

Has it actually been confirmed anywhere that it is the UCL and therefore Tommy John? I read somewhere this morning that no one had said for sure. Then i stopped paying attention.

Not that I've seen yet. But it's serious enough to put him on IR for the season so it's the assumption.

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

Has it actually been confirmed anywhere that it is the UCL and therefore Tommy John? I read somewhere this morning that no one had said for sure. Then i stopped paying attention.

Chris Mortensen stopped short of confirming that on radio today. He said he was going to wait for the team to announce, but that sources said it sounded serious.

[steelreserve]

Has it actually been confirmed anywhere that it is the UCL and therefore Tommy John? I read somewhere this morning that no one had said for sure. Then i stopped paying attention.

What other surgery is there for torn elbow ligaments? I legitimately think that's the only one it could be? If there's another elbow injury like that, I've never heard of it.

[Mojouw]

What other surgery is there for torn elbow ligaments? I legitimately think that's the only one it could be? If there's another elbow injury like that, I've never heard of it.

https://steelersdepot.com/2019/09/th...-elbow-injury/

There are several other ligaments and tendons floating around in your elbow. Could be any one of those. Or something with the joint surface itself.

I suspect it is UCL/Tommy John, but wondered if anyone had heard for sure.

[NCSteeler]

If Ben is done for good it'll be time to hang up my Superbowl XL Champion shirt. It's full of holes, can barely be pulled on without ripping. But it's my Sunday go-to. Sad days ahead.

Sent from my moto x4 using Tapatalk

[AtlantaDan]

This from a Post-Gazette article

While the exact nature of Roethlisberger’s injury has not been revealed, a team source who is familiar with the situation told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette there is “no reason to believe right now” the injury is career-threatening...

Team orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Bradley is expected to perform the surgery.

https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/...s/201909160095

While the injury is serious my understanding is the surgical procedure itself is fairly generic and not anything requiring cutting edge expertise. So presumably no need for Ben to have a consult or get on the schedule for whoever may be the most renowned elbow ligament surgeon in the country before the cutting begins

As for “no reason to believe right now" the injury is career-threatening, that probably is true - will not know how threatening until we see how a QB already in the twilight of his career handles the rehab and recovery.

[steelreserve]

When you are a 37-year-old pro athlete, ANY season-ending injury is career threatening.

[fansince'76]

If Ben is done for good it'll be time to hang up my Superbowl XL Champion shirt. It's full of holes, can barely be pulled on without ripping. But it's my Sunday go-to.

Does it bring flies too?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM3CovgD8Bo&amp&t=75s

[Hawkman]

- - - Updated - - -

And if we really, really suck this year.........think of the draft pick..............

You really went there?

[teegre]

Wow. If this is the end of Ben's career, it's not what I expected. That's a blow.

Maybe.

I'm sure when the Ravens knocked Maddox out of the game and Ben took over, many thought the season was doomed. Or when Bledsoe went down and a guy named Brady went behind center. Hell, when Boller was lost and Troy Smith went down to illness, a rookie Flacco started and took the Ravens to the AFCC (I am 100% positive you all remember THAT game!). The truth is...you never know.

As I stated elsewhere... September 19, 2004 all over again.

[NCSteeler]

As I stated elsewhere... September 19, 2004 all over again.

Except this team is no where near as talented or well coached. It's possible that this will force the coaches to dig a little harder but Rudolph doesn't have the defense Ben had as a rookie

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[teegre]

Except this team is no where near as talented or well coached. It's possible that this will force the coaches to dig a little harder but Rudolph doesn't have the defense Ben had as a rookie

Maybe.

After the 2003 season, people were saying that Cowher was done and that our defense sucked.

Really, they said those things. Over & over & over & over & over...

[AtlantaDan]

Maybe.

After the 2003 season, people were saying that Cowher was done and that our defense sucked.

Really, they said those things. Over & over & over & over & over...

Of course after the 2003 season Cowher fired D coordinator Lewis and brought in LeBeau - some say that was an upgrade

This season Tomlin stuck with Butler and the hits just keep on coming with screwups on defense

[teegre]

Of course after the 2003 season Cowher fired D coordinator Lewis and brought in LeBeau - some say that was an upgrade

This season Tomlin stuck with Butler and the hits just keep on coming with screwups on defense

True.

That said, I have stated for a while that by mid-season, Teryl Austin will be the DC (and Butler will go back to being “just” a LBs coach (where he actually faired well).

[JimHarbaugh'ssoakedtissue]

True.

That said, I have stated for a while that by mid-season, Teryl Austin will be the DC (and Butler will go back to being “just” a LBs coach (where he actually faired well).

Would love to see Butler demoted but will believe when or if I see it.

[86WARD]

So let’s say this is really the end for Ben. No one has really approached the Pouncey situation...that’s something that may need to be addressed as well.

[86WARD]

True.

That said, I have stated for a while that by mid-season, Teryl Austin will be the DC (and Butler will go back to being “just” a LBs coach (where he actually faired well).

Does Butler stay with the team if that occurs?

[AtlantaDan]

So let’s say this is really the end for Ben. No one has really approached the Pouncey situation...that’s something that may need to be addressed as well.

Pouncey appears to still be playing at a high level and he has 22 million reasons to play out through the extension he signed last spring even if Ben’s rehab does not go well and Sunday was the end of the road. It’s a business.

This link on his extension terms - assuming Ben and he had a joint retirement press conference next summer the Steelers might not let Pouncey keep the prorated 6 million in signing bonus $ for 2020/2021 for old times sake

https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/pittsbur...-pouncey-6527/

But the OL is aging and high round draft choices for the OL are going to be required sooner rather than later

[Born2Steel]

Pouncey appears to still be playing at a high level and he has 22 million reasons to play out through the extension he signed last spring even if Ben’s rehab does not go well and Sunday was the end of the road. It’s a business.

This link on his extension terms - assuming Ben and he had a joint retirement press conference next summer the Steelers might not let Pouncey keep the prorated 6 million in signing bonus $ for 2020/2021 for old times sake

https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/pittsbur...-pouncey-6527/

But the OL is aging and high round draft choices for the OL are going to be required sooner rather than later

Or trade a high round draft pick for a known commodity at OL. This is becoming the way to build a team when you’re not in full rebuild mode, IMO.

[86WARD]

That’s what I’m saying...soon, that Center position and as you mentioned the other O-Line spots are going to need to be addressed. I don’t think Pouncey leaves as soon as Ben does, but when Ben goes, Pouncey is probably gone at the end of his deal...which leaves two big holes in the offense.

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

True.

That said, I have stated for a while that by mid-season, Teryl Austin will be the DC (and Butler will go back to being “just” a LBs coach (where he actually faired well).

I think that is possible, but don't think Butler will just step back for a demotion. Think Butler would be let go. Think of having a manager or supervisor that you reported to for 5 years, suddenly replaced by somebody else, but still kept around. I think would be an awkward situation and culture for employees to be in.

[Fire Goodell]

Maybe.

After the 2003 season, people were saying that Cowher was done and that our defense sucked.

Really, they said those things. Over & over & over & over & over...

I'm still holding out hope that the defense isn't that bad, but they're constantly put in a bad spot with the continuous 3 and outs by our offense (I wouldn't be surprised if we led the league in this category). The offense does not do anything to give the defense a breather.

Gotta start converting 3rd downs and give the running game a chance to go.

[AtlantaDan]

I think that is possible, but don't think Butler will just step back for a demotion. Think Butler would be let go. Think of having a manager or supervisor that you reported to for 5 years, suddenly replaced by somebody else, but still kept around. I think would be an awkward situation and culture for employees to be in.

Could be like when Cowher turned over the offense to Chan Gailey during the 1995 season while Ron Ehrhardt was still technically the OC or when Cowher quit letting OC Ray Sherman call plays during the 1998 season without any formal announcements until after the season ended.

But Cowher was much more cold blooded about cutting assistant coaches loose if they under performed - might be one reason why assistants who did not get axed by Cowher often were hired as HCs while Tomlin has no coaching tree of which I am aware