6 Weeks

[flippy]

That's how long a dislocated rib takes to heal. And I just heard that it has to be fully healed before he can play.

That leaves 1 tune up game to get ready for the playoffs.

[Oviedo]

I don't think we see Ben until the play offs. Injury is too risking until the xrays show the bone fully healed. Sucks this happens when he is having the best season of his career, but it illustrates why Haley is trying to call plays to keep him safe...we're screwed without him.

[SidSmythe]

2 years in a row he suffers major injury trying to make a play when the pass rush is BEHIND him.

Ben's got to learn that once the pass rush is behind him he's a sitting duck and needs to get down or throw.

I say he misses 2 games.

[Chadman]

You are forgetting the 'tough hombre' part of Roethlisberger. 2 weeks max, here's betting 1 week & then some super-special kevlar vest to protect him going forward.

[flippy]

They were saying he can't play until it fully heals. It's not a pain issue. It's a pressing into his aorta issue.

[hawaiiansteel]

I say he misses 2 games.

I'll split the difference and say 4 weeks.

[BigRob]

playoffs.

Ha ha haaa hahaaa ha....oh wait you aren't joking.

[hawaiiansteel]

That leaves 1 tune up game to get ready for the playoffs.

[Mister Pittsburgh]

Dude is already part cyborg from his wreck. Screw it back together with a titanium bracket & let's rock n' roll!

[SteelBucks]

Some sites have been hinting at 4 weeks, but I'll agree with others and say playoffs.

[DBR96A]

Uh, if he can't play for six weeks, then let's not treat the playoffs like a foregone conclusion, OK?

[BradshawsHairdresser]

Uh, if he can't play for six weeks, then let's not treat the playoffs like a foregone conclusion, OK?

Exactly.

On the bright side, there's a good chance we move up into the top half of the draft...

[LordVile]

Dude is already part cyborg from his wreck. Screw it back together with a titanium bracket & let's rock n' roll!

hilarity! this is almost as funny as the INDIAN speak comment you left last week.. keep em' coming..

[DBR96A]

Exactly.

On the bright side, there's a good chance we move up into the top half of the draft...

Honestly, at this point, I'm prepared for the Steelers not to play in January. Two of their top three draft picks are on IR, and nine different starters have missed at least one game this season. The 2012 Steelers are basically the 2011 Bears: a playoff-caliber team wrecked by serious injuries to key players.

Part of me would actually prefer that they not make the playoffs simply because it'd improve their draft position during an off-season in which there's bound to be more turnover on defense. There's plenty of great talent even in the mid-teens. (Remember that the Steelers drafted Troy Polamalu at #16.)

Higher draft position would enable a more thorough reloading of the defense, and a healthy David DeCastro and Sean Spence should make the Steelers better on both sides of the ball in 2013.

[Oviedo]

Honestly, at this point, I'm prepared for the Steelers not to play in January. Two of their top three draft picks are on IR, and nine different starters have missed at least one game this season. The 2012 Steelers are basically the 2011 Bears: a playoff-caliber team wrecked by serious injuries to key players.

Part of me would actually prefer that they not make the playoffs simply because it'd improve their draft position during an off-season in which there's bound to be more turnover on defense. There's plenty of great talent even in the mid-teens. (Remember that the Steelers drafted Troy Polamalu at #16.)

Higher draft position would enable a more thorough reloading of the defense, and a healthy David DeCastro and Sean Spence should make the Steelers better on both sides of the ball in 2013.

I always want them in the play offs because any team can catch "lightning in the bottle" for 5 weeks (see the Giants recent Super Bowl runs). However, I do agree with the general tenor of your comments that this is major hill to climb in front of us. I really don't expect to see Ben back until the play off if at all. I'm not sure Leftwich can win 4 of the next 7 games but we will find out if there is any hope this Sunday night.

As far as Spence, I'm far less optimistic than you are. Multiple ligaments is a real severe injury. If he can ever come back with the abilities he had before the injury I think it won't be until 2014.