Ben Roethlisberger is done for the season.
The Steelers quarterback will need surgery after injuring his right elbow in Sunday's 28-26 loss to the Seahawks, coach Mike Tomlin announced Monday.
"Ben Roethlisberger had an MRI on his right elbow Sunday evening and it was determined by the Steelers’ medical team that surgery will be required," Tomlin said in a statement. "We expect the surgery will be scheduled for this week. He will be placed on our Reserve/Injured List and is out for the season."
Roethlisberger was seen shaking his throwing arm at various points during the first half of the team's home opener and even exited to the locker room before returning to the sideline to play through the injury. He was later ruled questionable to return and backup Mason Rudolph started the second half.
Roethlisberger finished 8-of-15 for 75 yards.
As for Rudolph, things got off to a rought start as he was quickly picked off, though the error falls to wide receiver Donte Moncrief for tipping the pass.
Just like the Seahawks drew it up 😅 pic.twitter.com/v6s49Bp7nm
— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) September 15, 2019
He immediately bounced back and ended up filling in admirably for Roethlisberger, finishing 12 of 19 for 112 yards, two touchdowns and an interception to earn praise from around the locker room.
"Mason did a really, really, really good job today," tight end Vance McDonald said, per the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
But there's still concern about Pittsburgh's offense after running back James Conner left Sunday's game with a knee injury. The team has yet to announce an update on his status, but it's discouraging considering Conner missed three games last season with an ankle injury.
The Steelers will look to avoid a dreadful 0-3 start when they visit the 2-0 Niners in Week 3.