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Ben Roethlisberger Injury: Steelers Quarterback Returns To Start Second Half

After barely being able to walk off the field, and being transported on a golf cart in the tunnel, Ben Roethlisberger is back in the game for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Big Ben started the second half at quarterback, with a heavy and noticeable limp on his left leg. Against a porous Browns rush defense and with their quarterback on a bad wheel, Pittsburgh rushed the ball on nearly every play. Big Ben did complete his first pass of the second half, but the offense is relying heavily on Rashard Mendenhall, Isaac Redman, and Melwelde Moore.

Clearly in pain and struggling to move simply to hand it off, the Steelers may have to rely on Charlie Batch in the second half if Ben is unable to go. As for a third quarterback, Dennis Dixon is inactive, which would force HInes Ward to fill in as the Steelers third quarterback.

Via Devan Kovacevic:

For all asking: Dennis Dixon is inactive. If Charlie Batch goes down, Hines Ward is the quarterback. He played QB in college.

If Roethlisberger does continue to gut out the second half, it will certainly add to his legend of playing injured, as he is already dealing with a broken thumb on his throwing hand.

For more news, discussion, and analysis on the Steelers, visit SB Nation's Steelers blog Behind The Steel Curtain. For more on the Steelers opponent, visit SB Nation Cleveland and SB Nation's Browns blog, Dawgs by Nature.

Photographs by dizfunk used in background montage under Creative Commons. Thank you.