Green Bay Packers linebacker Rashan Gary (52) sacks Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7). MARK HOFFMAN/MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL / USA TODAY NETWORK

Ben Roethlisberger shoulders blame for Steelers' slow start, downplays health concerns

By Chelena Goldman | Last updated 10/6/21

Like any veteran leader in the NFL, Pittsburgh Steelers starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger blames himself and poor decision-making for his team starting the season with a 1-3 record.

After coach Mike Tomlin revealed Roethlisberger, 39, sustained a hip injury during Sunday's loss to the Green Bay Packers, it looks like too many in-game injuries are playing a role in hampering the signal-caller's performance.

"I need to fight through and figure out how to make better decisions, how to make better throws, how to be a better football player," Roethlisberger said Wednesday via ESPN.

The hip issue is Roethlisberger's second injury on the young season, following a left pectoral injury he sustained against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 2. Through four games, the seasoned QB has thrown four touchdowns and four interceptions with a 64.1 completion percentage.

Roethlisberger didn't put the full blame for last Sunday's loss on his hip but admitted it hindered his performance.

"It's pretty sore," Roethlisberger said. "If I showed you the picture, you might not be too well to your stomach. It's a little black and blue.

"... As a quarterback, there's so much involved in your lower body. People probably think as a quarterback or as a thrower, it's 'how's your arm doing?' Your arm is honestly a small part compared to the whole package. It's your core. It's your lower body. I've got to find ways to be better with my lower body. Going back and watching the game, a few times, a lot of throws I missed, were missed because my lower body wasn't in sync."

Roethlisberger remains optimistic his health is not a long-term issue, and he will help his team get back into the win column.

"I believe in myself," Roethlisberg said. "I know that no matter what's going on, I'm going to fight my butt off to get a win, and if that's the way I need to lead right now, by showing these guys that I'm going to do everything I can to win a football game, I'll keep doing that."

CBS Sports has Roethlisberger ranked 28th overall heading into Week 5 against the Denver Broncos.

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