Ben Roethlisberger Status: Steelers QB Out Against Rams

PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will not start Saturday when the Steelers face the St. Louis Rams.

Roethlisberger is dealing with a sprained left ankle and did not practice this week following a 20-3 loss to San Francisco on Monday. He will be replaced by veteran Charlie Batch, who is 4-2 as a spot starter since joining the Steelers in 2003.

Roethlisberger said Wednesday he would prefer to play and believed his ankle was in pretty good shape after throwing for 330 yards and three interceptions against the 49ers. Yet he watched both practices this week in sweat pants as Batch took the snaps with the first team.

Roethlisberger last missed a start due to injury in 2009, when a concussion forced him to sit out a loss to Baltimore.

Comments

[Steelerfanman]

06:04 PM on 12/24/2011

He shouldn't have finished the Browns game he got hurt in or played in the 49ers game. All that did was delay the healing process even further.

[coglioa]

05:33 PM on 12/23/2011

This is a smart move by the Steelers. They already secured a spot in the playoffs. Need to rest Ben so he is ready for the playoffs.

[Copeword]

04:10 PM on 12/23/2011

It's okay, the Steelers can win without him.