Steelers not ruling out Roethlisberger
Coach Tomlin waiting to decide on QB’s status for Sunday after knee injury
PITTSBURGH — Mike Tomlin isn’t underestimating Ben Roethlisberger’s healing powers.
The Pittsburgh Steelers coach is keeping the door open for his franchise quarterback and his surgically repaired left knee to return Sunday in Baltimore.
Roethlisberger tore cartilage in the knee during the second quarter of a loss to the Miami Dolphins on Oct. 16 and underwent outpatient surgery the next day
He stood on the sideline in sweatpants while backup Landry Jones played capably in a 27-16 loss to New England Patriots, and was able to practice a bit during Pittsburgh’s bye week and again on Monday.
“I think all the cards are on the table,” Tomlin said Tuesday.
The main problems for Roethlisberger are swelling and pain tolerance, things that have hardly been a deterrent to Roethlisberger in the past.
Tomlin called what he saw from Roethlisberger on Monday “generally positive” but will wait to see how the knee responds during the week before making any decision on Roethlisberger’s availability.
“I’m just looking at it day by day, deciding what opportunities we’re going to give him on a given day, like we did [Monday], what he’s able to do with Mike Tomlin
NOTES: Tomlin praised tight end Ladarius Green’s mental preparation as he works his way back off the physically-unable-to-perform list. Green has yet to play this season because of health issues that began with an offseason ankle surgery. The team has a 21-day window to determine whether to activate Green. … Wide receiver Eli Rogers will be in the mix against the Ravens. Rogers dressed but did not see the field against New England, though. Tomlin said the decision not to play Rogers was not due to an off-the-field issue. Rogers has 13 receptions for 135 yards and a touchdown in four games.