(Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Ben Roethlisberger is 39 years old and is in his 18th season as the Steelers quarterback. He
has absorbed a ton of hits in his long career and he's been taking a pounding this year, as well.
Along with a left pectoral injury that Roethlisberger suffered in the Week 2 loss against the Raiders, Mike Tomlin confirmed today during his weekly press conference that Roethlisberger is also dealing with "hip issues."
The Steelers knew going into this season that they had an immobile quarterback and a very young offensive line. They had to see this coming.
Tomlin said everything is fixable but mobility in regards to Roethlisberger. The decline of Roethlisberger's mobility was really noticeable last year, and there were reports that Roethlisberger was dealing with knee issues. Roethlisberger claimed it was just arthritis.
At 39 and playing 18 seasons in the NFL, that arthritis in the knees catches up. It's only natural. Roethlisberger's knees are shot.
“Everything except mobility,” Tomlin said. “I don’t have an answer for that or lack thereof.
Ben used to be able to run really good when he was young. Those days are behind him.”
“Other than that, I don’t see much that isn’t a discussion in terms of technical alterations or quality of play that can be improved."
With Roethlisberger not playing well and dealing with numerous injuries, it has to make you wonder if the Steelers will eventually place Roethlisberger on injured reserve with an "injury" at some point this season. You just have to wonder how much longer this can continue. A fountain of youth is not coming for Roethlisberger.