PITTSBURGH -- Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger had just attempted eight passes on a separated shoulder Saturday night when a text popped up from an NFL scout reminding me that Roethlisberger is an ‘elite’ quarterback.
Roethlisberger didn’t need the 18-16 wild-card win in Cincinnati to validate his elite status, but the game accentuated Roethlisberger’s reputation for toughness. The drive helped set up a game-winning 35-yard field goal by Chris Boswell.
Roethlisberger’s well-known pain tolerance has the Steelers feeling optimistic about his chances to play Sunday in Denver despite Roethlisberger saying he’s torn a few ligaments in the shoulder to go along with the sprained AC joint.