Roethlisberger fortunate to only have a high-ankle sprain

Posted by Mike Florio on December 9, 2011, 3:43 PM EST

Getty Images

Last night, Ben Roethlisberger — and plenty of viewers at home — thought he broke his leg.  As it turns out, a league source tells PFT that Roethlisberger has been diagnosed with a high ankle sprain.

Per the source, Ben is in a walking boot and “not feeling good.”

The news makes even more remarkable the fact that Ben returned to action for the second half.  But it also means that it’s not a sure thing he’ll face the 49ers in 10 days.

Peter King of SI.com and NBC was in the Steelers’ locker room after the game.  He’ll explain what he saw at the top of NBC Sportstalk tonight at 6:00 p.m. ET on VERSUS.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We are running our first even TTR Playoff Bracket Challenge, and the winner gets a free shirt of the team of their choice. So hurry and enter TTR's Playoff Bracket Challenge for Free!

Colt McCoy may have played with concussion last night

Posted by Mike Florio on December 9, 2011, 7:27 AM EST

Getty Images

Late in Thursday night’s loss to the Steelers, Browns quarterback Colt McCoy received the latest helmet-to-helmet hit from Steelers linebacker James Harrison.

Two plays later, McCoy returned to the game.

After the Steelers escaped with a 14-3 win, McCoy seemed like a guy who had suffered a concussion.  McCoy said he didn’t remember the hit, according to the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram.  And Will Burge of ESPN 850 in Cleveland posted on Twitter that the Browns P.R. staff asked reporters to turn off their lights during McCoy’s post-game availability.  Light sensitivity is one of the various . . . wait for it . . . concussion-like symptoms.

12/9 Friday morning one-liners

Posted by Josh Alper on December 9, 2011, 9:19 AM EST

Getty Images

Bills DT Kyle Williams is out of the cast he had to wear following last month’s ankle surgery.

A turnaround on the offensive line has helped spur a turnaround in results for the Dolphins.

S Nate Jones started for the Patriots last week and he’s getting familiar with the defense this week.

Jets S Jim Leonhard’s wife won’t be happy to learn that her husband is returning punts this weekend.

G Marshal Yanda impresses his teammates with his toughness.

Andre Johnson still not practicing

Posted by Mike Florio on December 8, 2011, 7:46 PM EST

AP

Texans receiver Andre Johnson strained his left hamstring on Sunday.  On Monday, owner Bob McNair suggests that Johnson could miss a couple of games.  Later that day, coach Gary Kubiak said Johnson had a mild strain, and that his status will be day-to-day.

As of Thursday, Johnson still isn’t practicing.

Kubiak said Thursday that Johnson worked out in the pool, and that the team has a general plan for handling Johnson on Friday.

Percy Harvin is still suffering from Migranes

Posted by Mike Florio on December 8, 2011, 8:12 PM EST

Getty Images

Vikings receiver Percy Harvin hasn’t suffered many migraines since the Brett Favre/Brad Childress drama ended in Minnesota.  But Harvin’s most recent stellar performance came a day after his latest experience with the condition.

Jeremy Fowler of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports that Harvin, who missed practice last Friday with an illness, didn’t participate in a Saturday walk-through practice due to “migraine-like symptoms.”  (The Steelers approve of that diagnosis.)

Coach Leslie Frazier has said that he was led to believe that Friday’s illness was unrelated to migraines.  After Sunday’s game, Harvin declined to elaborate on the illness.

Regardless, he overcame the condition to have eight catches for a career-high 156 yards and two touchdowns in a 35-32 loss to the Broncos.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We are running our first even TTR Playoff Bracket Challenge, and the winner gets a free shirt of the team of their choice. So hurry and enter TTR's Playoff Bracket Challenge for Free!

Wes Welker to explain mysterious wrist cast today

Posted by Mike Florio on December 8, 2011, 4:50 PM EST

AP

Patriots receiver Wes Welker appeared on Wednesday’s practice report with a knee injury.  And yet he was spotted in the locker room on Thursday with a soft cast on his wrist, three days before Sunday’s game against the Redskins.

According to NESN.com, it’s a thin black cast, “almost like a sleeve.”  Welker also was spotted wearing the cast on Tuesday night at a charity event.

Welker says he’ll address the cast on Friday.  Maybe it’s simply a fashion statement.

If it’s not, then the injury should have been disclosed.  Just like the “right shoulder” injury with which Tom Brady supposedly wrestled for years.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We are running our first even TTR Playoff Bracket Challenge, and the winner gets a free shirt of the team of their choice. So hurry and enter TTR's Playoff Bracket Challenge for Free!

Steelers win tough battle with the Browns, 14-3

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on December 8, 2011, 11:43 PM EST

Getty Images

Thursday night’s matchup didn’t look great on paper. It turned out to be the most compelling primetime game in weeks.

Here’s what we learned during Pittsburgh’shard-fought 14-3 victory over the Browns.

1. Ben Roethlisberger is . . . flexible. When he got hurt in the first half Thursday night, it sure looked like he wouldn’t come back. Perhaps for a few weeks. Instead, he returned to author one of his most memorable regular season performances.

After the game, Mike Tomlin said Roethlisberger suffered a high ankle sprain.

2. Roethlisberger was limping badly from the injury when he first returned. He struggled to plant his foot, but wound up making a number of nice throws. He finished 17-of-22 for 280 yards, two scores, and an interception. What ankle injury?