PITTSBURGH– Coming off an unexpected bye week forced by a rash of favorable COVID-19 tests in the Tennessee Titans organization, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was audibly annoyed with the implications to the Pittsburgh Steelers schedule.
” Of course we got the short end of the stick,” Roethlisberger stated Wednesday.
Though the possibility remains that the continuation of favorable tests from the Titans could require the team to forfeit video games, Roethlisberger stated he does not think “theyll consider surrendering our video game.”
The timing of the bye week– which was simply a three-day break after the Steelers obtained special authorization from the league and NFLPA to resume practice Monday– was especially frustrating for Roethlisberger, who felt he was lastly getting in a rhythm in the first three games after a year off following season-ending elbow surgical treatment.
” Its hard, especially for someone like myself who was just starting to return into the circulation of things,” Roethlisberger said. “Its challenging, but youve got to adjust. Youve got to adapt and do the very best you can.”
2 RelatedBefore the break, the Steelers were 3-0 and had momentum entering into the Week 4 matchup versus the also-unbeaten Titans. Roethlisberger was making strides every week adapting to the offense and a brand-new cast of weapons.
He was critical of himself after each video game, however Roethlisberger took steps during the week to improve on his imperfections, such as working on his footwork during a Wednesday practice– generally his day off.
” The league currently attempted to slow it down, so I guess Im going to start back over from scratch and hope today I didnt take too lots of steps backwards,” Roethlisberger said of losing his momentum. “Just attempt to see how it goes this week, I think.”
For Roethlisberger, adjusting throughout the unscripted bye implied staying active at his home over the weekend– albeit with a different training partner.
” Well, I do not just rest on the couch throughout the day,” he stated. “I toss every day since my kid wont let a day go by without playing catch.”
With the Titans COVID-19 outbreak and positive tests likewise popping up in the New England Patriots and Las Vegas Raiders companies, Roethlisberger acknowledged that his own team would need to browse more difficulties in dealing with the infection beginning this weekend when 5,500 fans will be enabled at Heinz Field for the Steelers home video game versus the Philadelphia Eagles.
” We require to be careful, beware and secure each other,” Roethlisberger said. “New challenges occur this week with fans being allowed the video game now. Fans are enabled in the stadium, which indicates were enabled to have visitors in the area and things like that. In the Roethlisberger household, were not altering anything. No visitors are coming in town. However there are a few difficulties that have been presented therefore ideally guys can continue to be as mindful and as mindful as we have been to this point.”
” Its hard, especially for someone like myself who was just beginning to get back into the flow of things,” Roethlisberger said.” We need to be careful, be mindful and protect each other,” Roethlisberger stated. “New challenges arise this week with fans being enabled in the game now. In the Roethlisberger household, were not altering anything. “To believe we werent going to have positive tests is ridiculous.
NFLPA representative Cameron Heyward also said that favorable tests werent absolutely unexpected and pointed out that the NFL has procedures in place to navigate outbreaks– its up to the groups to follow them.
“To believe we werent going to have positive tests is ludicrous. … Theres going to be more positives. The things weve done to really change that are adding to our practice team, due to the fact that we understand there are going to be positives.
” With those, you need to believe, whether one guy gets it or more guys get it, were able to react accordingly. But when an entire team or it spreads out throughout your training personnel and team, its going to be tough to really handle the results of that.”
