Steelers QB Roethlisberger injures ribs, returns late in loss

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger missed most of the second half of Sunday's game at the Oakland Raiders due to injured ribs, and his late return was not enough to lift Pittsburgh to victory. "We were waiting to see if he was going to be able to come back in -- he was," head coach Mike Tomlin said afterward. "Probably could have come in a series or so sooner. But we were in the rhythm and flow of the game. He was ready to go when he got back out there." The team announced early in the third quarter that Roethlisberger was questionable to return, after backup Joshua Dobbs opened the second half with the starters. Dobbs played the majority of the half until the Raiders pulled ahead 17-14 with 5:20 remaining, spurring Roethlisberger to come back in. Roethlisberger, who said afterward he was just waiting for Tomlin's go-ahead, promptly led a six-play, 75-yard drive capped by a 1-yard touchdown pass to JuJu Smith-Schuster to retake the lead at 21-17. But Derek Carr countered with an eight-play, 75-yard drive to put the Raiders back in front, 24-21, with 21 seconds remaining. Roethlisberger got the Steelers in position to send it to overtime with a successful hook-and-lateral play in the final seconds, but Chris Boswell's 40-yard field-goal attempt on the final play was blocked. Roethlisberger's injury appeared to happen when he was sacked by Clinton McDonald midway through the second quarter, forcing a field-goal attempt that was missed by Boswell. Roethlisberger got up slowly but came back out on the next possession and led the Steelers right down the field for a touchdown, going 6 of 7 for 52 yards and a 1-yard score to Smith-Schuster. But Dobbs came out as the Steelers got the ball to start the second half, protecting a 14-10 lead. Roethlisberger was not on the sideline to start the third quarter. He came jogging out of the tunnel midway through the quarter but did not enter the game until the final two drives. Dobbs finished 4 of 9 for 24 yards and an interception, along with two carries for 15 yards. Roethlisberger went 25 of 29 for 282 yards, the two touchdowns and no interceptions. Roethlisberger said afterward he expects to be able to play in Week 15 against the New England Patriots. --Field Level Media