Ben Roethlisberger isn’t gone, not yet anyway, but he wasn’t available for the Steelers in last week’s game against Detroit, which ended in a frustrating 16-16 tie. The Steelers didn’t know whether Roethlisberger would be available this week until he passed through the COVID protocol early Saturday morning and thus was cleared to join the team in Los Angeles and play Sunday night against the Chargers.

And what a game Roethlisberger played. Without the benefit of any practice, Roethlisberger completed 28-of-44 (63.6 percent) for 273 yards, with three touchdowns, no interceptions, and a rating of 103.7. But beyond the numbers, it was when they were achieved that was noteworthy.

With the Steelers trailing, 27-10, at the start of the fourth quarter, Roethlisberger led the team to 27 points over the final 15 minutes, and he passed for 101 yards and two touchdowns during that span. On a night when the Steelers defense allowed 41 points, 533 total net yards of offense, and 7.7 yards per offensive play, Roethlisberger not only gave the Steelers a chance to win, but he had the team in the lead 37-34, with 3:24 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Roethlisberger is the Steelers Digest Player of the Week. — Bob Labriola, Steelers.com.

Ben Roethlisberger with no practice:
28/44
273 yards
3 TD
0 INT
103.7 RATE#Steelers

— Steelers Depot (@Steelersdepot) November 22, 2021

Yes it was a loss, but seeing the effort from Ben Roethlisberger, who a week ago had COVID and has dealt with injuries half the season, was all heart. The guy fought and fought hard.

— Teresa Varley (@Teresa_Varley) November 22, 2021

You played a great game @_BigBen7 You gave us a chance to win. So proud you are our QB

— Monica #HereWeGo (5-3-1) (@mlouden87) November 22, 2021

I ain’t even mad about that L this game showed me that it’s still some fight left in @_BigBen7 don’t count us out just yet because them angry dawgs coming back

— TheRealFreeSmokeSavage (@FreeSmokeSmoove) November 22, 2021

My co-player of the game is @_BigBen7 . You played your entire heart out and damn-near pulled out a dub!!!! I love you man pic.twitter.com/FZPuInOvQt

— 5-4-1 7‐4 (@WomaN_OFSt33L) November 22, 2021

@_BigBen7 and @CamHeyward played their asses off tonight!!!

— Seabeewife26 (@ChristyNelsen) November 22, 2021

@_BigBen7 was amazing tonight!! Don’t let that get overshadowed by the loss. (Which freaking sucks btw)

— anna (@annajc16) November 22, 2021

4 points. No TJ, No Haden, No Minkah, No Tuitt, No Alualu. @_BigBen7 hella of a performance straight of COVID.

Onto Cincinnati. #herewego

— Duncan Robertson (@Drobe__) November 22, 2021

“We would like to let everyone know that last night at 10:06 PM Ashley and I welcomed a healthy, beautiful baby boy into this world.
Benjamin Jr. is 7 lbs. 1 oz., and 19-1/2 inches long. Both mom and baby are doing well. We want to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers, it really means a lot to us. God is so good! We will have pictures to post this weekend. We hope you have a very Happy Thanksgiving!” — Ben, Ashley, and Benjamin.

I am so honored to team up with ‘Big Ben’ Roethlisberger to tackle a great cause!

When Ben wore my ‘Different’ shirt to training camp a few weeks ago and it caused so much attention, we knew we should take the opportunity to shine a light on something way bigger than a T-shirt. Honored to partner with Light of Life Rescue Mission, who has been on the ground making a huge difference in the lives of homeless citizens in Pittsburgh for a years.

For every shirt we sell, two meals are being donated to Light of Life Rescue Mission! — Micah Tyler.