After losing the starting quarterback job, there was concern Paxton Lynch could also miss out on his role as backup.
Broncos coach Vance Joseph was assured his second string signal-caller has only suffered a minor shoulder injury after his X-rays came back negative.
“He’s got a bruised shoulder, nothing serious,” Joseph said Saturday, via NFL.com. “We’ve got two weeks to get everyone healthy. It’s going to be a long two weeks, so we have time. Not too concerned.”
Roethlisberger is expected to be joined by wide receiver Antonio Brown, who also sat out the team’s first two preseason games. One player who definitely won’t be on the field, however, is Le’Veon Bell.
The star running back tweeted Tuesday night that he intends to report to the team Sept. 1 after Pittsburgh’s final exhibition game Aug. 31 against the Panthers. Despite Bell’s absence in recent weeks due to a contract holdout with the organization, Roethlisberger isn’t bitter about the late arrival.
“There’s no hard feelings,” Roethlisberger said, via EPSN. “We will be ready for (Bell) whenever he gets here. We always want our guys here. But he didn’t have to be here. So, we want him here because he’s an amazing football player and he helps this team. So, when he gets here, hopefully it won’t take him long to get into football shape.”
The Steelers are slated to open the regular season Sept. 10 against the rival Browns and anticipate having their “Killer B” trio back together.