Set to Face Colts, Ben Roethlisberger in NFL’s Concussion Protocol

Ahead of Sunday night’s matchup against the Indianapolis Colts, Pittsburgh Steelers starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has been placed in the league’s concussion protocol with a head injury.

The 12-year veteran suffered such an injury late in this past Sunday’s loss to the Seattle Seahawks and checked himself out of the game, as backup quarterback Landry Jones came in as his relief.

However, Roethlisberger has insisted that he didn’t suffer from a concussion and intends to play against the Colts this weekend:

"“I didn’t have any symptoms – no headaches, no nausea, no lack of appetite or sleep or anything like that,” Roethlisberger said via the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette this morning. “I anticipate being fine and good to go tomorrow (Thursday) in practice,” added Roethlisberger."

However, there have been conflicting reports, as his head coach Mike Tomlin has said that Roethlisberger indeed suffered a concussion this past Sunday and is now in the league’s concussion protocol:

It’s a significant injury development for the Colts, as the Steelers are a completely different football team with Roethlisberger under center, who’s always given them problems in the past.

After all, “Big Ben” is just one season removed from an all-time historically great passing game against the Colts secondary during Week 8 of last year in which he completed 40 of 49 passes for 522 total passing yards, 6 touchdowns, 0 interceptions, and a sparkling passer rating of 150.6 during a 51-34 Steelers win.

While no one likes to see a star player hurt, the Colts odds of winning would increase dramatically without Roethlisberger at the helm and Jones in as his replacement.

Still, if Roethlisberger’s recent comments are any indication, he should be in the starting lineup for Sunday night’s primetime matchup against the Colts–with our secondary once again having their hands full.

However, as of now, he still has some hurdles to jump in order to play: