Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger expected to start vs. Chargers after clearing protocols

The Pittsburgh Steelers are activating Ben Roethlisberger after the quarterback cleared the NFL's COVID-19 protocols, the team announced Saturday. Roethlisberger will fly across the country to join his team and expects to start a "Sunday Night Football" game against the Los Angeles Chargers.

Roethlisberger, 39, missed the Steelers' 16-16 tie with the Detroit Lions in Week 10 after testing positive for COVID-19. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Roethlisberger is vaccinated and self-reported his symptoms before testing positive.

With Roethlisberger out of action, the Pittsburgh offense sputtered against Detroit, turning the ball over three times and managing to score just one touchdown. Roethlisberger began his season with four touchdowns and four interceptions through his first four games, but he rebounded to throw six touchdown passes and no interceptions in his next four.

The return of Roethlisberger will be a boon for a Steelers team that is piling up injuries in the latter half of the 2021 season. Pittsburgh will be without cornerback Joe Haden and Defensive Player of the Year contender T.J. Watt, who suffered hip and knee injuries against the Lions.

Pittsburgh is in second place in the razor-close AFC North that is currently led by the 6-3 Baltimore Ravens. The 5-3-1 Steelers, 5-4 Cincinnati Bengals and even the 5-5 Cleveland Browns are all hot on the Ravens' heels.