Keyshawn Johnson explains why the Steelers should be concerned about Ben Roethlisberger’s pectoral injury because of his age and poor offensive line play. (0:45).
PITTSBURGH -- Tuesday's addition to the Steelers' list of injured players was Ben Roethlisberger.
Mike Tomlin, Coach Mike Tomlin, said that the quarterback had a left pectoral injury and didn't know why. It was not disclosed publicly during postgame interviews with Roethlisberger or Tomlin.
Tomlin stated that he doesn't know when Ben was injured in a game. "I don’t know if he knows. Sometimes, just in the midst competition, adrenaline, and so forth, you don't know. Sometimes, things just happen."
Roethlisberger was only able to take two sacks against the Las Vegas Raiders. However, he was also hit 10 times. Tomlin admitted it was too much for his quarterback of 39 years and suggested solutions that could prevent another week like this.
Tomlin stated, "Yeah he did." He took too many hits. We can run it faster. We can move the ball faster. We can keep to our schedule, not lose sight of the sticks, and we don't get into situations where the line is so far that it increases the thrill.
Roethlisberger stated that he felt some soreness from live tackling a week ago and it was again after the second game.
He said that he was disappointed with the loss and that he didn't perform well enough to win the game. Football is not without its bumps and bruises.
However, the Steelers' injuries go beyond Roethlisberger. T.J. Watt was the only Steeler to be dealing with groin injury. He left the game at halftime. Alex Highsmith, an outside linebacker, also has a groin injury. This was not disclosed after the game. He had been working on a groin injury in training camp.
Joe Haden and Devin Bush also suffered groin injuries which prevented them from playing in Sunday's game.
Tomlin stated that he was not making any dramatic statements about the availability or health of any of these men because of the severity of the injury and the prognosis. "And the man changes the prognosis. We will give men an opportunity to practice and be close enough to the practice. They will have the opportunity to practice throughout the week.
"And if they practise, we'll examine the quality of that practice or their practice time and use that as a guide to our potential participation. Some players are more experienced than others and can take less preparation. ... There are many variables involved, but it is not overwhelming. This is the tightrope we walk every week.
Tomlin stated that Tyson Alualu, nose tackle, was also placed on injured reserve for a ankle fracture. He had surgery Monday. To fill Alualu’s spot, the Steelers promoted Henry Mondeaux, a defensive lineman from the practice squad.
Wide receiver Diontae Johnson was injured in the knee during Sunday's final play. Tomlin was vague but optimistic about his condition.
Tomlin stated that Tomlin was pleased with Tomlin's improvement. "We'll be following him and his health throughout the week."
Tomlin stated that even with all the injuries in the AFC North meeting against the Cincinnati Bengals Tomlin believes the answers are within the team.
"With the flexibility of practice teams and other such things, the NFL today has all the answers in-house. He said that he is not concerned about the injury as far as our expectations and our performance. "We have a week of preparation with known issues. In-game injuries are more dangerous than the known problems you face here at the top.
Steelers signed Taco Charlton, a former first-rounder, to their practice squad Tuesday in an effort to help with injury. Charlton has spent two seasons in Dallas. One in Miami, and one in Kansas City. As one of the Steelers' former first-rounders, he joins safety Karl Joseph.
