There is some good news and bad news for the Steelers ahead of their AFC divisional round matchup with the Broncos.
Good news first: Ben Roethlisberger, who separated his shoulder in a wild-card win over the Bengals, is considered "very likely" to play Sunday at Mile High Stadium, according to ESPN.com, which quoted a team source. But the bad news is it's "not looking good" for star wide receiver Antonio Brown, per the report, after he suffered a concussion during the 18-16 victory on Saturday.
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Brown, Roethlisberger's top target, has been in concussion protocol since taking a hit to the head from Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict on the Steelers' game-winning drive. An earlier report by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette said Brown “is said to be fine and should be able to play against the Broncos," but he'll need to be cleared by an independent neurologist before being allowed to play.
Burfict was suspended Monday by the NFL for three games, effective next season, for his hit on Brown, which drew a 15-yard penalty for unnecessary roughness that put the Steelers in position to kick the winning field goal.
Roethlisberger suffered his injury in the third quarter when he was sacked by Burfict and landed hard on his throwing shoulder. NFL Network reported Monday that Roethlisberger has a sprained AC joint. He said Sunday that his right shoulder was sore but called himself “day to day.”
