Steelers lucky to escape game against Ravens without any significant new injuries

Despite a number of hard hits during the Pittsburgh Steelers win over the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, it would appear that none of the players temporarily sidelined in Week 9 suffered significant injuries after all.

When speaking to the media after the game, Mike Tomlin confirmed that Ben Roethlisberger had merely had the wind knocked out of him in the fourth quarter, forcing him to sit out for just one play. As he told reporters.

“Not a lot of significant injuries to speak of, everyone that got hurt at some point, I think, went back into the game. Ben got the wind knocked out of him, the other stuff was even probably less than that. We’re thankful on that front as well.”

JuJu Smith-Schuster was the first player sent to the medical tent midway through the third quarter after a hit to the head from safety Eric Weedle that earned him an unnecessary roughness penalty. However, he would return to the field on the same drive following a quick evaluation, showing no ill-effects.

Roethlisberger would leave the game briefly on the next drive following a tackle by Za’Darius Smith when he scrambled for 12 yards deep in his own half. Driven hard into the turf, it initially looked like the Steelers’ quarterback might have suffered a shoulder injury, but he would surprisingly return to action after just one play.

Although he was in good humor about the hit after the game, Roethlisberger admitted he was unsure what exactly had happened when talking to reporters.

“Got the wind knocked out of me, didn't feel too good. I don’t know if I fell on the ball, but a big man fell on me, who I didn't see coming. ... Once I was able to get up I knew I was probably going to be okay.”

With Pittsburgh set to play the Carolina Panthers on Thursday, it can only be hoped that no new names will be added to the injury report in the coming days.