Steelers QB Roethlisberger hurts thumb on throwing hand (1 Viewer)

[MKB4®]

Steelers QB Roethlisberger hurts thumb on throwing hand

Written by: Associated Press ¦ 8/16/2006

Source:

LATROBE, Pa. (AP) -- Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger left practice early Wednesday with an injury to the thumb on his throwing hand.

"I think he hit his thumb, on the next-to-last play he was in there, on a shoulder pad," coach Bill Cowher said after practice at St. Vincent College. "He's upstairs (in the team's facilities), so we'll look at that, assess it, and I'll probably have more information tomorrow."

The injury occurred about 10 minutes before the end of the team's second workout of the day, in which the third-year quarterback looked sharp throughout.

Roethlisberger, who in February became the youngest quarterback to win a Super Bowl, did not speak with reporters as he left the field, his hand wrapped in ice. Cowher, however, did not sound as though he believed the injury was serious.

"He looked fine," Cowher said.

Roethlisberger was on the official injury report through the last five games of the 2005 regular season and was listed as "probable" in the playoffs with a right thumb injury. After last season, Roethlisberger said he had played the latter part of the year with a broken thumb.

Late in the 2004 season and during the playoffs that followed, Roethlisberger started wearing a glove on his throwing hand during games, sparking speculation that his thumb was injured. Both he and Cowher downplayed such talk at the time, however.

Cowher said he does not believe that Roethlisberger's hand or thumb problems are chronic or the result of arthritis.

 

[Chickenwang]

isn't this what the steelers do to their players to make them look like heroes when they come to play the next week?

oh big ben, you're my hero!

 

[DrunkinDwarf]

isn't this what the steelers do to their players to make them look like heroes when they come to play the next week?oh big ben, you're my hero!

 

[pecorino]

local news made this sound like a very minor thing, like a stoved thumb.

 

[massraider]

I think the only reason for concern is that it IS his thumb.

Had problems with the thumb last year I thought.

 

[Macdaddy_2004]

One for the Thumb!!!!!

Sounds like a good sign for a repeat

 

[gocats]

isn't this what the steelers do to their players to make them look like heroes when they come to play the next week?oh big ben, you're my hero!

 

[GiantsRule]

isn't this what the steelers do to their players to make them look like heroes when they come to play the next week?oh big ben, you're my hero!

Yeah, good thing teams like the Patriots don't make Tom Brady's weekly "injuries" sound like the guy had to fight through the trenches to get to the stadium on gameday while dragging his IV tube along side him, and ferociously ripping it out with his teeth before playing a solid game.Yup. It's only the Steelers.

 

[poopdawg]

isn't this what the steelers do to their players to make them look like heroes when they come to play the next week?oh big ben, you're my hero!

Yeah, welcome aboard tool!

 

[kevthegrad]

Oh crap! I better downgrade Rothlisberger and that amazing Steeler passing oriented offense from 25th - 30th on my board.

Thanks!!

 

[BogAl]

I hear the woman who was wearing the shoulder pads is from Maine.

 

[jonessed]

isn't this what the steelers do to their players to make them look like heroes when they come to play the next week?oh big ben, you're my hero!

 

[Franknbeans]

Link

LATROBE, Pa. -- Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's right thumb injury apparently is not serious and he could play Saturday night against the Minnesota Vikings.

Roethlisberger missed the last few minutes of practice Wednesday after hitting his thumb on a shoulder pad, helmet or catching it in a jersey. He suffered a ligament strain. Coach Bill Cowher said it was difficult to tell on video tape how the injury occurred.

Roethlisberger was examined before practice ended and returned for the conditioning and stretching drills that end each workout. He was held out of practice Thursday, and the team will decide Friday if he will play Saturday in the second of the Steelers' four exhibition games.

"He feels better today than he did yesterday," Cowher said Thursday. "We'll see how he feels tomorrow. If he feels OK tomorrow, he'll play Saturday. There's no indication we have to do any kind of tests or anything."

If Roethlisberger can't play, backup Charlie Batch will start but won't play any longer than the rest of the starters, or about one quarter. Rookie Omar Jacobs and free agent Shane Boyd would play the rest of the way.

Last season, Roethlisberger injured the thumb Nov. 28 against the Colts and was listed as probable on the remaining injury updates the rest of the season. He did not miss any games because of the injury, although Roethlisberger said it was painful.

Cowher said there is no indication this latest injury is related to last year's. Despite breaking his jaw and nose in a June 12 motorcycle accident, Roethlisberger has missed no practice time since camp began July 28 and has thrown the ball increasingly well as camp has progressed, hitting on several deep passes early in practice Wednesday.

"He's been fine, there's been no problem with it this whole camp," Cowher said. "I mean, he's been throwing the ball pretty good. At this point, all indications are this is day to day, so we'll see how he feels."