PITTSBURGH — A slimmed-down Ben Roethlisberger whistled practice passes to his receivers for the first time in five weeks, and a teammate didn’t need to watch video to know what he had just seen.
“He’s been working hard at home,” defensive end Brett Keisel said. “He wants to be great this year. So, hopefully, he will.”
Even if considerable repair work needs to be done, on the field and off it.
The two-time Super Bowl champion quarterback didn’t talk to reporters after practicing Tuesday for the first time since drawing a six- game suspension April 21 for violating the NFL’s personal- conduct policy.
The penalty resulted from a Georgia college student’s allegation that Roethlisberger sexually assaulted her in a nightclub, and though he does not face criminal charges in the case, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said the quarterback’s drinking and carousing failed to meet the league’s expectations for player behavior.
Roethlisberger took part in voluntary practices April 19 and 20 but was barred from working out again until he underwent a league-ordered behavioral evaluation and was cleared by Goodell to resume team activities. The commissioner still hasn’t decided if Roethlisberger’s suspension will be reduced to four games.
The only noticeable difference in Roethlisberger since those earlier practices is the weight he’s dropped, several players said.
“He’s been on the treadmill a little bit,” lineman Willie Colon said. “He’s trying to get a beach body on.”
Broncos claim ex-Patriot
ENGLEWOOD — The Broncos claimed linebacker Bruce Davis off waivers from the Patriots.
The third-year pro spent most of last season on the Patriots’ practice squad after playing in five games as a rookie in 2008 for the Steelers, who had made him a third-round draft selection from UCLA.
The Patriots waived Davis on Thursday.
Footnotes.
Eagles defensive back Marlin Jackson ruptured his right Achilles tendon during an indoor practice. An immediate prognosis was not available.
• The Seahawks signed tight end Anthony McCoy, their sixth-round draft pick from Southern California, to a multiyear deal.
The Associated Press
