In speaking to the media for the first time in almost a year, Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger noted he did not have Tommy John surgery on his throwing elbow, something that was speculated, but never confirmed. He did say he tore three of five flexor tendons connecting the elbow joint to the bone.
Roethlisberger spoke to assembled media via a Zoom call Tuesday as the Steelers continue with a modified training camp, not yet fully in pads, but noting he has done a bit of throwing so far, and isn’t having any issues so far.
While it might not have been the surgery most known for its long recovery rate on pitchers, it was clearly significant enough to push Roethlisberger to injured-reserve for the first time in his 15-year career. Roethlisberger has missed time in the past with shoulder issues, but none as significant as his elbow injury, which came to light in the first half of Pittsburgh’s Week 2 loss to Seattle last season.
