Roethlisberger’s goal is to play next season

Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will visit his doctors in California Feb. 21 and hopes to get clearance to begin throwing tennis balls and other light objects.

Roethlisberger, who left at halftime of the second game of the season with an elbow injury that came from wear and tear from 16 years in the NFL, had surgery Sept. 23 performed by Dr. Neal El Attrache of the Cedars-Sinai Kerlan Job Institute in Los Angeles.

Roethlisberger plans to stay in California for a period of time to meet with throwing coaches. He remains hopeful he will be ready for OTAs in May, minicamp in June and training camp in July.

“Absolutely, I plan on playing again,” Roethlisberger said in October. “That’s why we did the surgery. The reason we did it and did it so soon is because I want to come back. I don’t have any doubts in my head about that. If you have doubts, then you’ve already lost. It’s going to be a long road, but I’m excited for the opportunity to show I can do it.

“I want to go out on my own terms. No one wants to leave on an injury they can’t control.”

Redskins

Tight end Vernon Davis announced his retirement after 14 NFL seasons with San Francisco, Denver and Washington that included winning a Super Bowl title. The 36-year-old said he’s walking away while his body is still healthy enough to pursue other opportunities.

Elsewhere

Willie Wood, the Hall of Fame defensive back who won five NFL championships with the Green Bay Packers under coach Vince Lombardi and made the first interception in Super Bowl history, died Monday. He was 83.