NFL: Steelers don’t intend to rest Roethlisberger vs Browns

Barring a setback this week in practice, head coach Mike Tomlin has full intentions of starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in the team’s season finale against the Cleveland Browns on Jan 2. According to team sources, a decision has already been made to start Roethlisberger (health permitted), although the team will likely stay mum throughout the week.

Roethlisberger will go into Sunday’s game with nearly two weeks of rest and 24 days since suffering a grade 1 high ankle sprain. The injury has been considered a 3-to-4 week injury.

One big reason for the team intending to play Roethlisberger is that they don’t want Roethlisberger to go almost three weeks without playing if the Steelers earn a wildcard berth or close to four weeks without playing if the Steelers get some help on Sunday and win the division, earning a first round bye.