PITTSBURGH — Big Ben is back and ready to play.
The Pittsburgh Steelers announced Saturday that quarterback Ben Roethlisberger had been taken off COVID-19 protocols and will be added to the team’s 53-man roster, NFL.com reported.
The roster move was also confirmed in a tweet by Steelers spokesperson Burt Lauten.
Roethlisberger, who tested positive for COVID-19 last Saturday, will fly separately to Los Angeles and is expected to start when the Steelers (5-3-1) face the Chargers (5-4-1) on Sunday night. The rest of the team boarded a plane for California earlier Saturday, WPXI reported.
Roethlisberger, 39, had to have two negative COVID-19 tests before he could rejoin the team, WPXI reported.
Mason Rudolph started in Roethlisberger’s place last week in the Steelers’ 16-16 tie against winless Detroit (0-8-1). He completed 30 of 50 passes for 242 yards and a touchdown. He also threw an interception as the Lions halted the Steelers’ four-game winning streak.
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In eight starts this season, Roethlisberger has thrown for 1,986 yards and 10 touchdowns. In 18 seasons, Roethlisberger has thrown for 62,334 yards and 406 touchdowns.
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