Steelers’ Ben Roethlisberger Expected To Start Divisional Round

Sal Paolantonio of ESPN reports that Ben Roethlisberger will start the Steelers’ Divisional Round game against the Broncos on Sunday.

Ian Rapoport adds the team will observe him on Saturday, but that he will play on Sunday barring a setback.

Listed as questionable heading into the weekend, Roethlisberger was taken to the locker room during the third quarter of their Wildcard game against the Bengals with an apparent right shoulder injury.

Roethlisberger was trying to roll out when he turned into the arms of Bengals LB Vontaze Burfict. Big Ben’s shoulder slammed into the ground, and he remained down for a period of time.

The veteran quarterback confirmed during an interview with 93.7 the Fan that he is dealing with a sprained AC joint and has torn ligaments in right throwing shoulder.

“It’s definitely sore,” Roethlisberger said, via CBS Pittsburgh. “I think it’s a little bit better than it was, but we’re still going to just take it day-by-day.”

Roethlisberger, 33, is in the first year of his five-year, $99 million contract that includes $64 million guaranteed. He’ll make a base salary of $1 million in 2015 to go along with another $17.75 million in 2016.

In 2015, Roethlisberger threw for 3,938 yards while completing 68 percent of his passes to go along with 21 touchdowns and 16 interceptions over the course of 12 games.

Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 4 quarterback out of 37 qualifying players.