Roethlisberger completed his behavioral evaluation, and both he and
the Steelers await word on when he can return to full participation with
his teammates in offseason workouts.
That decision will come from commissioner Roger Goodell once he and
staff members review the evaluation results and subsequent
recommendations of the professionals who performed them.
Once Goodell is satisfied with the evaluation, he can permit
Roethlisberger to practice now and throughout training camp until he
must begin serving his 4-6 game suspension at the beginning of the
season.
The Steelers renew their practices after taking off since their
minicamp ended May 2, a weekend in which Roethlisberger stayed at the
NFL-assigned clinic for his evaluation. They conclude their spring
practices June 10.
Roethlisberger is said to be working out and in good shape physically
and mentally and that he wants to meet the challenge of rebuilding his
reputation head-on.
Goodell used the NFL's Personal Conduct Policy to discipline the
Steelers' two-time Super Bowl quarterback for incidents that occurred in
Milledgeville, Ga., March 4-5. A 20-year-old woman accused
Roethlisberger of sexually assault, but after a month investigating the
allegations, Georgia prosecutors decided not to charge him with a crime.
Roethlisberger ran with the first team during their first OTA
practices April 19-20. That was before Goodell announced a suspension.
When he returns to practice, he likely will not be with the first team,
maybe not even the second. Coach Mike Tomlin has said he will decide by
the opening of training camp who will be his starting quarterback to
open the season.
"In all likelihood, I won't say it, but the decision will be made,"
Tomlin said.
Byron Leftwich ran the first-team offense in the Steelers' three-day
minicamp and Dennis Dixon ran with the second team. Charlie Batch was
No. 3.
"We got a long process here for the rest of the offseason," said
Tomlin, who has 12 OTA days remaining. "We're looking forward to
watching those guys work and find rhythm with receivers and so forth,
and just continuing to grow."
NOTES, QUOTES
* The Steelers placed wide receiver Limas Sweed on their injured
reserve list after he cleared waivers. They signed another player to
replace him on a roster that stands at 90. Sweed had surgery on his
Achilles tendon after it was ruptured on the final day of the team's
minicamp May 2.
They signed first-year WR Isaiah Williams, who signed with the
Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted rookie from Maryland last year and was
released before the season.
* Starting C Justin Hartwig should see more and more time as OTA
practices resume. He had shoulder cleanup surgery after the season. He
practiced at minicamp but did not participate in 11-on-11 drills.
"It was a prescribed part of his process coming off of his surgery,"
coach Mike Tomlin said. "As the offseason continues to roll on, we will
continue to just work him more and more, and get him up to speed. He's
done a nice job with the rehabilitation. He's starting to get his weight
back; he's really doing well."
* There will be an adjustment for the wide receivers to make as they
switch back and forth between Ben Roethlisberger and Byron Leftwich.
"It's different because they throw so much different," WR Mike Wallace said. "Ben's is just soft. Byron has a canon, he's letting it
rip. It's different how their balls come out spinning."
"Regardless of the quarterback situation, I've caught balls from all
of them so I feel comfortable with whoever's in the ballgame," said
Hines Ward
QUOTE TO NOTE: "Ask me on the 18th. Matter of fact, just see if he's
here or not." -- Coach Mike Tomlin on whether S Troy Polamalu will
continue to work out with the team when OTAs continue Tuesday.
MEDICAL WATCH: WR Limas Sweed was placed on IR after having surgery
May 3 to repair a ruptured Achilles tendon.