Steelers’ QB Ben Roethlisberger in Concussion Protocol After Being Hit in Practice

Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger in 2017. Photo by Trask Smith/CSM/REX/Shutterstock

Pittsburgh Steelers’ quarterback Ben Roethlisberger left the team’s practice halfway through on Tuesday, and now we finally know why. The 36-year-old suffered a hit during the practice and now finds himself in the concussion protocol. The news was confirmed by Steelers’ coach Mike Tomlin.

“Ben Roethlisberger sustained a hit today in practice,” – said Tomlin in a brief statement released through the team. “He is being evaluated by team doctors as part of the concussion protocol.”

According to reports from the scene, Roethlisberger suffered the hit during a seven shots segment of practice when he ran into right tackle Marcus Gilbert and linebacker Keion Adams.

After spending some brief time on the ground, Big Ben got up and talked with teammates and trainers before being walked out of the stadium.

“It happened so fast. I saw his head whip back,” – Gilbert described the event. “I’ve got to see the film to see what happened. That’s my guy. No one wants to see anything happen to him, especially in a practice like this, coming to work and going and not tackling.”

Coach Tomlin ruled out Ben Roethlisberger from the upcoming preseason game against Green Bay Packers even before this hit, so it is expected that he will have enough time to recover from this unfortunate event.

Against the Packers, Steelers’ offense will be run by rookie third-round pick Mason Rudolph and Josh Dobbs, who was a fourth-round selection in 2017.