Tomlin: Practice is Important

[SD2042]

http://news.steelers.com/article/99475/



A couple of times already this season, Ben Roethlisberger has had to miss all but one day of practice because of his shoulder injury, but then he has started the game on Sunday.

Coach Mike Tomlin isn’t opposed to such a scenario on an occasional basis, but he made it clear yesterday that Roethlisberger isn’t going to become the next Steve McNair.

Four times over the first nine weeks (the bye doesn’t count), Roethlisberger has been listed on the team’s injury report for that week’s game, and in each of those weeks he has missed at least some practice time. But Roethlisberger has not missed a start since the 2006 season opener, and only that because of an emergency appendectomy.

“It is our intent right now that hopefully he will practice. The shoulder is what it is,” said Tomlin. “It is something that he has dealt with, and that he will continue to deal with. We will see where he is when he comes in here. He comes in and spends time with the coaching staff on Tuesdays; he gets treatment and such. We will see what his availability will be for practice after that.”