Ben Roethlisberger sore after return in Week 1

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger admits playing in Week 1 took a physical toll on him following a long layoff. Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

Ben Roethlisberger after return in Week 1: 'I feel like I was just in a car accident'

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 9/16/20

Ben Roethlisberger played his first game for the Pittsburgh Steelers in almost a year on Monday and was quickly reacquainted with the trials and tribulations of playing in the NFL.

The 38-year-old quarterback, who is returning from elbow surgery, revealed that his arm was just about the only body part that wasn't sore after the Steelers' 26-16 Week 1 win over the New York Giants on Monday night.

Roethlisberger on soreness: "I was saying today I feel like I was just in a car accident. Yesterday I felt like I was in a trainwreck. Hopefully tomorrow it'll feel like I just fell off a bike.

"I'm definitely sore. The good news is my arm is the only thing that doesn't hurt."
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) September 16, 2020

Roethlisberger was sacked twice against the Giants but completed 21-of-32 passes for 229 yards and three touchdowns in his season debut. Although he had a solid outing, Roethlisberger revealed that he certainly was rusty in his return to the field.

Ben Roethlisberger: "There was rust early, and even late. It's not like I played perfect. I looked at some times that I maybe got up into the pocket a little too quick or didn't have the same feel in the pocket early on I'm probably used to having." pic.twitter.com/yBCdaEfZhg
— Brian Batko (@BrianBatko) September 16, 2020

As the season rolls on, Roethlisberger stated he'll continue his routine of having Wednesdays off in order to stay fresh. The extra day of rest should help him recover, especially this week, before Sunday's Week 2 matchup against the Denver Broncos.

Roethlisberger proved that, when he's healthy, Pittsburgh is a playoff-caliber team. Once he gets used to the postgame soreness, he may be even better than he was just two years ago.

As the Steelers look to make the playoffs for the first time in two seasons, it'll be important for Roethlisberger to stay in his routine and continue to make strides toward being the quarterback he once was.

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