Ben Roethlisberger injury: Steelers QB carted off with hurt shoulder

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was injured in the third quarter of the Steelers Monday Night Football game against the Chiefs and his return is questionable.

Roethlisberger injured his right shoulder as he dropped back to pass and was hit by an oncoming Kansas City rusher as he let go of the ball. The veteran Steelers quarterback went to the locker room for further examination and backup quarterback Byron Leftwich was warming up on the sidelines.

The Steelers are in a primetime dogfight against the 1-7 Chiefs, as the Pittsburgh offense has sputtered throughout the evening. Roethlisberger is 9-of-18 for 84 yards and a touchdown -- a second-quarter strike to Mike Wallace.

Roethlisberger is renowned for playing through all manner of injuries, but this one was not immediately apparent following the hit. The bulky quarterback quickly left the field for the locker room as the offensive possession ended.

Leftwich has played in just one regular-season game in the last two years.

This story originally appeared on SBNation.com.