Steelers: Big Ben not out long term
The cartilage in Ben Roethlisberger’s aching left knee is repaired.
And while the Steelers are optimistic their franchise quarterback will return sooner rather than later after tweaking the knee in the second quarter of a miserable loss in Miami on Sunday, the odds of Roethlisberger being ready for a visit from Tom Brady and the Patriots six days removed from the operating table is remote.
Roethlisberger rested at home Monday after undergoing arthroscopic surgery and Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said the team is confident Roethlisberger won’t be out “long term.”
But Roethlisberger’s teammates began rallying around their backup now facing the most daunting task of his uneven career.
Your turn, Landry Jones. Again.
“I’m going to prepare like I’ve done in the past and we’ll see what happens,” Jones said. Cardinals rout Jets, 28-3: David Johnson rushed for 111 yards and three touchdowns, and the host Arizona Cardinals shut down the listless New York Jets, 28-3, on Monday night.
Johnson scored on runs of 58, 2 and 2 yards while becoming the first player to rush for three scores against the Jets since LeSean McCoy did it five years ago.
The Cardinals (3-3) won their second in a row. New York (1-5) lost its fourth straight.
The Jets’ Ryan Fitzpatrick was 16 of 31 for 174 yards and was benched in favor of Geno Smith after New York’s drive ended in an interception in the end zone in the third quarter. Jets honor Byrd: The Jets carried Dennis Byrd’s memory with them Monday night.
They honored their late defensive lineman by wearing a “90” decal — Byrd’s old jersey number — on their helmets against the Cardinals.Byrd, an inspirational figure who regained the ability to walk after breaking his neck during a 1992 game, died on Sunday in a two-vehicle collision north of Claremore, Okla., according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. He was 50.
The Jets are still finalizing details, but the organization plans to honor Byrd during Sunday’s home game against the Ravens at MetLife Stadium.
Byrd suffered a paralyzing neck injury during the Jets-Chiefs game Nov. 29, 1992. But he vowed to walk again and, after several months of intensive physical therapy, he did. Extra points: The Dolphins are worried that Pro Bowl S Reshad Jones tore his rotator cuff Sunday against the Steelers and that he may be done for the season, NFL.com reported. ... The Browns will monitor WR Terrelle Pryor (hamstring) during the week. ... The league will review a hit by Bengals LB Vontaze Burfict to the knee of Patriots TE Martellus Bennett on Sunday. The league is unlikely to suspend Burfict, but a fine is possible, ESPN reported. ... Broncos coach Gary Kubiak returned to work after spending last week at home following an overnight hospital stay and a complex migraine condition diagnosis. ... Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval signed a bill clearing the way for a Las Vegas stadium that could be home to the Raiders.