9:08 pm: In addition to an MCL sprain, Roethlisberger also suffered a bone bruise, per Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (Twitter link).
9:00pm: ESPN’s Adam Schefter confirms La Canfora’s report regarding Roethlisberger’s injury. Schefter presents a different timetable, though, as his source expects Roethlisberger to miss six weeks (Twitter link).
8:45pm: An MRI confirmed an MCL sprain for Roethlisberger, reports CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora (via Twitter). There’s no damage to his ACL, and he’s expected to miss four weeks.
4:40pm: Roethlisberger is expected to miss at least four weeks, sources tell Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link).
4:28pm: The Steelers are “hopeful” that Roethlisberger’s ACL is intact, per Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk.
3:51pm: Roethlisberger didn’t break any bones, but he will need to undergo an MRI to determine if he suffered any ligament damage, tweets Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
3:14pm: Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was carted off the field during today’s game against the Rams after suffering a left knee injury. The club has announced he will not return, meaning that backup Michael Vick will navigate the offense for the remainder of the contest.
Needless to say, losing Roethlisberger for any amount of time would be devastating to a Steelers offense that ranked No. 1 in offensive DVOA during the 2014 season. Reothlisberger had been enjoying a typically outstanding season, completing more than 70% of his passes for more than 700 yards and four touchdowns during Pittsburgh’s first two games, during which the Steelers had posted a 1-1 record.
If Roethlisberger is out for a significant period of time, Vick will continue to act as Pittsburgh’s signal-caller. Vick was signed in late August after Bruce Gradkowski suffered a season-ending injury; Landry Jones, a former third-rounder, would presumably act as the No. 2 from here on out.
Losing Roethlisberger would be the latest blow to the Steelers offense, which missed Le’Veon Bell for two games due to suspension, and continues to play without receiver Martavis Bryant (suspension) and center Maurkice Pouncey (injury).