Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger (knee) is now expected to miss 4-6 weeks, according to ESPN's Chris Mortensen. Ouch. What was originally expected to be a 2-3 week absence was reportedly lengthened by an issue related to a bone bruise suffered last year. "But there's no way to put an exact timetable on it," Roethlisberger told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Ron Cook. "It depends on my pain and how I feel." Big Ben has a history of returning earlier than expected from injuries and will still benefit from the Week 8 bye. But fantasy owners should be prepared to be without him through at least Week 10. His absence is also a blow to WR Antonio Brown, RB Le'Veon Bell and the rest of Pittsburgh's skill-position guys.

Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger announced his retirement via a video posted on Twitter on Thursday morning. It ends an 18-year career -- all with Pittsburgh. Roethlisberger played some ugly football over the past couple of seasons but had an awesome career in totality. He currently ranks 5th in career passing yards and 8th in passing TDs. Big Ben won 67% of his regular-season starts and went 13-10 in the playoffs with 2 Super Bowl wins. Roethlisberger is a no-doubt Hall of Famer. The Steelers, meanwhile, have only QB Mason Rudolph signed for 2022. He'll reportedly get a shot to win the starting job, but expect competition to be added.

Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger is officially active for tonight’s game vs. the Chargers. He came off the COVID list on Saturday, so he’ll be playing without any practice reps. Big Ben is a low-end QB2 vs. Los Angeles’ 3rd-ranked QB defense.

Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger has been activated from the COVID list. He'll fly separate from the rest of the team to Los Angeles but is expected to start Sunday night's game vs. the Chargers. Roethlisberger is just a low-end QB2 against the league's 3rd-ranked QB defense. But his return is good news for Pittsburgh's skill-position guys after QB Mason Rudolph's Week 10 flop.

The Steelers are placing QB Ben Roethlisberger on the COVID list, which means he'll miss Sunday's game against the Lions. The timing could put his Week 11 in doubt as well, depending on the specifics of his situation. Mason Rudolph will start against Detroit. He's clearly not much of a fantasy option overall, but Rudolph did throw for 315 yards and 2 TDs in a narrow loss to the Browns in Week 17 last year -- his most recent start.

Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger (hip, pectoral) put in full practices on Thursday and Friday and isn’t listed on the final Week 5 injury report. He’ll start Sunday’s game vs. the Broncos but isn’t a recommended play in any fantasy league.