Ben Roethlisberger undergoes elbow surgery on Monday

Just one week after the Steelers quarterback learned his 2018 season was over, Ben Roethlisberger underwent surgery in Los Angeles on his right elbow.

The Steelers released a statement Monday evening courtesy of Burt Lauren, the Steelers official team spokesperson.

Ben Roethlisberger had successful surgery on his right elbow on Monday in Los Angeles at the Cedars-Sinai Kerlan Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic. Dr. Neal ElAttrache performed the procedure in consultation with Steelers Team Physician Jim Bradley, who began his career at the Kerlan Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic.

Once Ben returns to Pittsburgh, he immediately will begin working with the Steelers’ medical staff on his rehabilitation, and he is expected to make a full recovery and return to the field for the 2020 NFL season.

As reported on Sunday by ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Roethlisberger did not need Tommy John surgery. It is rumored Ben’s injury was not for a tendon or ligament, but instead was dealing with a muscular issue. The exact nature of Rothlisberger’s injury or surgery has yet to be officially released.

In six quarters of play in 2019, Rothlisberger failed to throw a touchdown and had one interception. In his absence, second-year player Mason Rudolph has taken over the quarterbacking duties.

As reported last week, Steelers’ center and team captan Maurkice Pouncey stated Rothlisberger‘s elbow had been to bothering him for years.

With surgery now behind him, Roethlisberger will now take on the rehabilitation process in an effort to prepare himself for the 2020 season. Whether or not Ben will make a full recovery or if there will be any lasting affects on his elbow will not be known for quite some time.