Ben practiced for the second straight day on Thursday, and Coach Mike Tomlin was comfortable enough with what he saw to say he will start this week.

From Teresa Varley, Steelers.com:

Steelers’ players are excited to have their starting quarterback return to action this week, as Mike Tomlin made it official that Ben Roethlisberger will start on Sunday against the San Diego Chargers at Heinz Field.

“It always intensifies the group and makes us more excited,” said receiver Antonio Brown. “Ben has so much physical talent and ability. I am excited to have him back. It’s definitely important if we want to make a run and have opportunities in the playoff we’re going to need Ben out there with us.”

One of the key factors in getting him on the field was Roethlisberger’s velocity returning, and he said tight end Heath Miller is his barometer for how he is doing.

“I have been around him the longest and he knows I will give him an honest answer,” said Miller. “It’s better than last week as you would expect. Over time he will only get better and better.”

Brown, who returned to practice on Thursday, definitely saw progress in Roethlisberger since last week when he first started to throw the ball.

“His velocity has gotten better from last week,” said Brown. “Last week he had a little harder time drilling the ball where he wanted to get it. This week he is looking good.”


You can read more here.



Before he takes the field…

Ben will be suiting up in a custom fitted rib/chest compression shirt, and a layer of Kevlar-lined composite in his shoulder pads to help absorb hits to his clavicle and shoulder joint regions.

The padding, made by Unequal Technologies, has grown popular across the NFL and is similar to what the company puts in chest protectors for baseball catchers.


You can read more about it from the AP’s Will Graves here.



Quote of the Day:

“Good lord, he’s so crafty. He’s such a proven quarterback in this league. The biggest challenge is really trying to get him down. He’s so elusive for a guy his size.” — San Diego Chargers defensive coordinator John Pagano, during an interview today about preparing to play against Ben.

From Ben’s interview with the media after practice this afternoon:

On what he thought of Coach Tomlin’s comment that he would have to “prove” he was ready to return –

It’s probably because I tell him I can go every week, regardless if I’m ten percent I’ll tell him I can go. But he just wants to make sure I can get it done.


On the velocity of his throws –

I’m getting there. I have to talk to Heath. He’s my barometer. Heath lets me know how close I am to one hundred percent on velocity and stuff like that.


On how his shoulder and chest are feeling during practice –

It’s cold out there so that doesn’t help. It’s just a little bit of pain and tightness, but we’re not worried about that feeling right now.


On how he feels mentally about returning –

I’m anxious. I want to be out there. When it’s time and my body says “go”, and Coach says “go”, I’ll be ready to go.


You can watch video of Ben’s full interview here.



From Coach Tomlin this afternoon on Ben’s practice:

“I thought it was a positive day for Ben. He threw the ball around both vertically and horizontally. I thought the ball had good velocity, particularly in a few instances.

“Obviously, we’ll see how his body responds to it tomorrow, but I thought today was a good step. We’ll see what tomorrow holds for us.”


You can read more from Coach Tomlin here.

From Alan Robinson, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review:

Ben Roethlisberger was the first to greet Charlie Batch, grabbing him tightly for a 30-second bear hug that summed up everything about this emotional day, this resilient team, this improbable win.

The quarterback who was too hurt to play knew exactly what was going through the mind of the quarterback who was being called too old to play.

The Steelers had just beaten the Ravens team they supposedly couldn’t beat — not in this stadium, not under these circumstances, not with this man at the controls, and it meant everything to both of them.

“You go out there and that was a big win,” Batch said. “It was one of those moments, and he and I shared it. I’ll keep it between us what was said, but it was something that was special.”


You can read more here.

You can watch highlights from the game here.


Also, congratulations to Charlie, he is the Steelers Digest Player of the Week!

Today, Ben announced the seventh grant of the 2012-13 season from The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation at The Giving Back Fund.

The Foundation will be distributing a grant to the Baltimore Police Department where the Steelers will play the Ravens on Sunday, December 2nd.

The Baltimore Police Department plans to use the funds to add a bomb-detecting dog to their K-9 unit and to purchase a bite suit for training purposes.


This marks the sixth season that The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation has distributed grants to K-9 units. The mission of the Foundation is to support K-9 units of police and fire departments throughout the United States with a particular emphasis on support for service dogs in Pittsburgh, PA and to support other charitable organizations, such as the Make-A-Wish Foundation.


You can get more information about Ben’s Foundation here!

You can also contact Stephanie Sandler at the The Giving Back Fund.



And speaking of Baltimore….

“I’m not a hundred percent but we’re going to get as close as we can.” — Ben

Ben answered questions from the media today about the progress of his injured shoulder and rib, his ability to practice, and his arm strength as the team prepares for their showdown with the Ravens.

“I can play through a lot of pain, so, that is a little bit,” said Ben. “But, mostly it’s just to me, ability. Can I make the long throw? Can I put a lot of zip on the ball, throw it really hard before people like Ed Reed and defenders can get to the ball, because if I can’t then I’m not putting this team in the best situation to win games.”


You can watch video from the Q&A here.


UPDATE: On Friday, November 30th, the Steelers announced on their website that Ben “has been officially ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Baltimore Ravens”.

…have been pouring in from Steeler Nation the last few days for Ben & Ashley on the birth of their son, Benjamin Jr.


Below are just a few of the many messages received via email, the website’s Facebook page, and Twitter:

First huddle. “Congrats to the Roethlisbergers!! He’s one proud papa and deserves every minute of it!!” — Deb Bernocco


“Welcome to the world Little Benjamin and welcome to the Best Club in the World Big Ben, The Dads Club!” — David LeBon



“Being a parent is THE best thing in the world. Good luck and Blessings!” — Tami B. Duda


“Congratulations from all of us here at Steeler Nation in Guam. God Bless you and your family!” — David Karl Taitano

“In 23 years, it will STILL be the same old Roethlisberger/Brady debate: Who is the better Ben at QB? Ben Roethlisberger Jr. or Ben Brady….I will take Jr. over Brady!” — Jackie Gerring, CA

“Ben, you and the Mrs., you’ve done good! Your son is just precious!! Congrats to you both and your new baby!!” — Michelle Catlett


“Scrambled out of the pocket and into the loving arms of mom and dad! Happy for ya!” — Mark Schneider


“Now your life really begins!” — Pat Hergert


“Daddy’s little backup.” — Joe Kovalcik


“Born a champion already, cant wait to see him in a STEELERS uniform in 22 yrs, like his father. Way to go Ben.” — Michael Zavala


“Please tell Ben that I said congrats and that I know how happy he is because I became a father 4 months ago and it’s the best felling in the world. I wish them both the best with their baby boy Ben Jr.!” — Mario A. Rodriguez, Chihuahua, Mexico

“Congratulations Big Ben and Ashley. Ben you will be a hero in the heart of this little guy for ever, he is the greatest gift God can give.” — Nancy Crissman

“Welcome to Steelers Nation ‘lil Ben! CONGRATULATIONS Ben & Ashley…he’s precious!” — Marci C. Lonsinger


“Such a handsome baby! The future Steelers quarterback of 2035 and beyond!!” — Marsha Leighty


“Hey little handsome man!! Welcome to our world!! So stinkin’ cute!!” — Julie Sheehan


“Congrats Ashley! Treasure you little blessing from the Lord. Hope […]

“I’m going to try. It’s killing me to watch.” — Ben, when asked by reporters after yesterday’s game if he will be ready to play next weekend.

From ESPN‘s Chris Mortensen:

The Steelers quarterback will begin soft-tossing the football early in the week to test his range of motion and work through the pain of his rare rib and shoulder injury, according to team sources.

Roethlisberger slept much better this week, a source said, even with newborn son “Little Ben” in the house.

Roethlisberger’s pain tolerance and range of motion could determine whether he plays next week.

“I honestly have no idea what the plan is,” Roethlisberger, who is no longer in a sling, said after the Steelers’ loss at Cleveland on Sunday.


You can read more here.