PITTSBURGH — Ben Roethlisberger played one of the worst games of his NFL career one week after suffering a concussion in 2006. He is days removed from his fourth concussion in four years, an uncommonly high number even for an NFL player.
Regardless, the Steelers quarterback is going through “a normal week” of preparation for a pivotal game at Baltimore on Sunday night and has every intention of playing.
“It’s part of the nature of the beast of playing this game. It’s a violent, physical contact sport and there’s a chance you’re going to get hit,” Roethlisberger said Thursday. “You guys don’t talk about the bruises we have all over our body. If I showed you a bruise on my shoulder and a bruise on my shin, it wouldn’t get talked about as much.”
The two-time Super Bowl- winning quarterback’s latest concussion occurred when his head accidentally struck the knee of Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson while he was being tackled during Pittsburgh’s 27-24 overtime loss Sunday.
Both of last season’s Super Bowl quarterbacks plan to play a week after getting concussions — Kurt Warner of Arizona does, too.
Turner limited in practice
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Falcons running back Michael Turner practiced lightly for the second straight day, and backup Jerious Norwood was a full participant.
Turner missed last week’s 34-31 loss to the Giants with a high ankle sprain, and coach Mike Smith listed the Pro Bowl selection as “limited” in practice.
Norwood has missed the last five games with a hip flexor, but has been in practice the past two days.
Rams’ Jackson ailing
ST. LOUIS — Rams running back Steven Jackson did not practice for the second straight day while recovering from lower back spasms, but the team remains confident he’ll play Sunday against Seattle.
Coach Steve Spagnuolo said the team was playing it safe with Jackson, who has four straight 100-yard rushing games. He said Jackson told him he felt better but not good enough to practice.
Footnotes.
Lions rookie tight end Brandon Pettigrew left Detroit’s game against Green Bay with a left knee injury and did not return.
• Bills starting cornerback Terrence McGee is practicing for the first time in more than three weeks since having surgery on his right knee, and could play against Miami on Sunday.
The Associated Press
