Report: Ben Roethlisberger chose not to practice Friday

CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora is reporting Sunday Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger had the opportunity to play Sunday, and was cleared by the team's medical staff to at least practice fully Friday, but Roethlisberger chose not to.

Per La Canfora, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin told Roethlisberger he could practice fully on Friday but if he did not, he would be ruled out for the game.

Roethlisberger did not practice fully, and he was listed out for the game.

But did that conversation happen? We've enjoyed poking holes in "I heard from a guy who said" stories relating to the Steelers in the past, and the report comes at an interesting time - just a few hours before the Steelers play the Ravens in Baltimore.

On the other hand, Roethlisberger said earlier in the week if he couldn't put much zip on the ball, he wouldn't be much good to the team. While he may not have practiced fully, no one knows Roethlisberger's body better than he does. The argument could be made this report slants Roethlisberger in a negative light, when the conversation may have taken place but the team was simply giving him the option to give it a shot.

Roethlisberger declining it would have given Charlie Batch full reps to better prepare him for the game.

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