Ben Roethlisberger feeling better, but Steelers remain uncertain if he’ll play vs. Chargers

A Pittsburgh Steelers practice week has come and gone. But for what has been a rarity over the past two decades, it was a practice week without Ben Roethlisberger on the field. Or even at the facility.

Still, in regards to the structure and drills performed and work completed, practices at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex weren’t all that different.

“Not really,” running back Najee Harris said after the final session of the week Friday. “It (stinks) not to have (Roethlisberger), but at the same time we have to play as a team and find ways to win games. So that’s just the main focus for me: to find ways to win games as a team, and how we can win games for the team. And just keep chopping wood, keep stacking bricks and try to find ways to win.”

To get a win at the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday night, it might require doing so without Roethlisberger for a second consecutive game. A positive covid-19 test for Roethlisberger was discovered last Saturday, less than 18 hours prior to kickoff against the Detroit Lions.

The Steelers tied their winless opponent 16-16.

Harris joined other teammates in saying the offense’s approach and feel did not stray significantly with Mason Rudolph at quarterback than it does when Roethlisberger plays.

“There’s nothing too different, or too drastically (different) for us up front, at least,” center Kendrick Green said. “I can’t speak for the receivers and all that. But it’s all the same — Mason knows his stuff just like Ben knows his stuff. So we are all comfortable with Mason.”

What makes this week different from last week, though, is each of the practices has been run with Rudolph as the first-team quarterback and Dwayne Haskins the No. 2.

Still, there could again be a short-notice QB switch. It’s not out of the realm of possibility that Roethlisberger would be cleared at some point before Sunday’s 8:20 p.m. scheduled kickoff.

Per NFL covid protocols, the vaccinated Roethlisberger would need to test negative on consecutive days and be symptom-free for 48 hours.

It’s anecdotal and not, of course, official, but Green indicated Roethlisberger might be getting past his symptoms.

“He said he’s feeling better and stuff like that,” Green said Friday. “So we will see what happens.”

Although Rudolph on Thursday said he hadn’t spoken with Roethlisberger, Harris and Green on Friday both said they had contact with him. Harris said he spoke with Roethlisberger on Thursday.

“Not so much like, ‘How’s practice been?’ (but) just checking in how he’s doing,” Harris said. “He did get covid, so I was just seeing if he was doing OK in general, besides the football stuff.

“(But) we did talk a little bit about the Chargers and what to expect from them and how important it is to come out with the win.”

The Steelers (5-3-1) have a five-game unbeaten streak on the line against a team they figure to be in a race with for one of the AFC’s playoff spots in the Chargers (5-4).

The Steelers won’t have defensive stars T.J. Watt and Joe Haden or starting guard Kevin Dotson. They likely will play without Minkah Fitzpatrick. Having to play a No. 2 quarterback would figure to only make the challenge that mush more steep.

Then again, even if Roethlisberger is cleared, sending him on a cross-country flight after a week of no practice is less than ideal, as well. Harris, though, is confident Roethlisberger can lean on his 18 seasons of NFL experience.

“We all have faith in Ben,” Harris said. “He’s been doing this for a long time. There’s a reason why he’s been as successful as he has been in this league. We are (also) comfortable with Mason, who comes to work every day and works hard. Mason knows what he’s doing, as well, so we are comfortable with both.”

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