Pittsburgh Steelers doctors are hopeful, though hardly optimistic, that quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will be able to return from his rib and shoulder injuries Dec. 2 against the Baltimore Ravens, according to a source familiar with the situation.
Steelers doctors believe Roethlisberger will miss three weeks, though the team has not abandoned hope that he may miss only two games and be able to return for the rematch against the Ravens.
Though Roethlisberger said the injury to his first rib on his right side threatened his aorta, a source said doctors believe the greater threat is to the surrounding arteries, vessels and soft tissue.
This would be the quick rematch against the division-rival Ravens. This isn't set in stone though. The story said Roethlisberger was in as much pain Friday as he was Monday and the timetable for his return is somewhat unpredictable because the injury is rare and needs to heal itself, and, there's no treatment or procedure that can fix it quicker. It's very unlikely he plays this week against Cleveland.
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