All Signs are that Big Ben Will Play vs Oakland Sunday

It appears that things will be back to normal for the reeling Steelers Sunday as quarterback Ben Roethlisberger expects to be back under center for the defending Super Bowl champs. Reports say that Roethlisberger has worked out without problems since missing Sunday night’s game in Baltimore with a concussion.

Roethlisberger was held out of the huge 20-17 overtime loss to the Ravens after having post-practice headaches Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. A team doctor recommended Saturday that the quarterback not play, and coach Mike Tomlin agreed.

While the Steelers did not practice on Monday, Roethlisberger worked out on his own and did not have any problems, Tomlin said.

“All indications are he’ll be a full participant tomorrow (Wednesday) in practice and ultimately play in the game on Sunday,” Tomlin said Tuesday.

If the headaches should unexpectedly return, Tomlin said the Steelers will “act quickly.”

Roethlisberger sustained his fourth concussion since 2006 and his second in less than a year during an overtime loss in Kansas City on November 22nd. Neither Roethlisberger nor the team revealed during the week he was having headaches, one reason there was considerable surprise when it was announced he wouldn’t play.

“There are codes that come with playing tough games like football that kind of conflict at times, with things that are of utmost importance like head injuries,” Tomlin said. “I understand the gravity of the decision that we had to make on Saturday, the potential of that.

“I understand that if we allowed Ben to play that we’d be open to questions in regards to that. I thought that if we didn’t allow Ben to play, that we’d be open to questions in regards to that. Really, it was irrelevant in terms of my decision making. I was more concerned about doing what was right. Medical experts suggested he not play, so we didn’t play him.”