Browns Digest

Pittsburgh Steelers: Ben Roethlisberger out for the season

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin released a statement which announced that quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will have season-ending surgery on his elbow, which means Mason Rudolph is the team's quarterback as they try to get their first win of the season against the San Francisco 49ers.

Pete Smith

© Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports

In a stunning development, the Pittsburgh Steelers have announced the results of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's MRI on his elbow and determined that he does need surgery and will miss the rest of the season. Second year quarterback Mason Rudolph will take the reins of the Steelers offense.

Roethlisberger left the game against the Seattle Seahawks and his return was called questionable. He returned to the sideline, but was never reinserted into the game, which stood out given that the Steelers were fighting to avoid falling to 0-2.

Now, the Steelers have to go on the road and play the San Francisco 49ers and try to get their first of the season. Should they fail, their season might already be over, adding insult to Roethlisberger's injury.

While the Steelers still can't be counted out, it does seemingly put the AFC North crown into a head to head battle between the Baltimore Ravens and the Cleveland Browns. The Ravens look great getting out to a 2-0 start, albeit against lesser teams while the Browns need to get their season on track against the New York Jets this evening.

The Steelers offense has issues beyond Roethlisberger's injury and it will be interesting to see how their offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner adjusts the offense to fit his young signal caller. This will give the organization a full look at Rudolph as the potential successor when Roethlisberger ultimately retires.

It seems only a matter of time until Antonio Brown figures out how he will rub salt into the wound of both Ben Roethlisberger and the entire Steelers organization.

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Pete Smith
PETE SMITH

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