Roethlisberger's foot broken, said he 'fully expects' to play Sunday

Turns out the "sprained" right foot of Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger actually is broken.

The fifth metatarsal bone or the outside metatarsal on Roethlisberger's right foot is broken, the Post-Gazette has learned. It was a previous break that was re-injured during the first quarter of Sunday's game in Buffalo.

The Steelers, who had been listing the foot as sprained, issued a clarification this afternoon, reporting that, "Ben's current injury is an aggravation of an old injury where scar tissue is present."

Roethlisberger went through another limited practice Thursday and has said he fully expects to play in Baltimore Sunday night. Offensive coordinator Bruce Arians said that Roethlisberger's injury should not curtail anything he does on the field in Baltimore.

Steelers trainer John Norwig has retrofitted a football shoe with two metal plates to both help protect the broken foot and also provide support. Once he steps out of his shoes, Roethlisberger limps heavily around the locker room.

Roethlisberger has not missed a snap since he returned from a four-game suspension to start the season. His foot was x-rayed at halftime Sunday in Buffalo and he remained in the game.

First published on December 2, 2010 at 4:12 pm