With ‘Big Ben’ hurt, Leftwich to start for Steelers vs. Ravens

Pittsburgh, PA, United States (4E Sports) – Byron Leftwich will start for the Steelers against the Baltimore Ravens in place of Ben Roethlisberger, who was injured Monday night.

Roethlisberger left the game against the Kansas City Chiefs in the third quarter after getting slammed to the ground by a pair of linebackers.

The quarterback suffered a rib injury and a sprained shoulder from the same hit. The rib injury was described as rare and dangerous by one media outlet.

According to ESPN medical analyst Dr. Michael Kaplan, Roethlisberger’s fractured rib has the potential to tear lung lining similar to an injury sustained by the Cowboys’ Tony Romo last year.

It’s still unknown how long Roethlisberger will be sidelined. Leftwich completed 7 of 14 passes for 73 yards after replacing Roethlisberger. He will be making his first start since 2009 when he played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The Steelers (6-3) have won four straight to pull within a game of first-place Baltimore (7-2).

Pittsburgh faces the Ravens twice in the next three weeks.

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