By Teresa Varley
Steelers.com

 

            Ben Roethlisberger spent a lot of his time at the team’s practice facility on Wednesday in the training room, but he did take time out to give an update on how he is feeling.

 

            Roethlisberger did not practice, but he was able to ride the exercise bike at a slow pace and threw some soft passes to teammates before leaving practice to return to the training room. He is hoping to pick the pace on the exercise bike as the week goes on. He is walking without crutches and while he is still feeling some pain, he does feel like he is ahead of schedule on the rehab.

 

            “We’re taking it one day at a time and hope I continue to feel better day by day,” said Roethlisberger, who watched part of practice to support his teammates. “I think we’re doing real well. I think we are a little ahead of schedule right now.”

 

            Roethlisberger will miss his second game this Sunday when the Steelers host the Browns at Heinz Field after having arthroscopic surgery on his knee, but the outlook for a full recovery is good.

 

            “From what they told me once it is better the knee should feel better than it ever did,” said Roethlisberger, who indicated his range of motion isn’t where it should be. “From the first game on it was painful to me. I was playing through the pain. They said I shouldn’t feel any pain now. Hopefully I will be able to play without pain for the first time in a long time.”

 

            It took some convincing for Roethlisberger to have his surgery. He wanted to try and keep playing through the pain, especially since the knee was feeling better before the surgery. But he understood that it had to be taken care of and when Coach Cowher told him to get it over with, he agreed.

 

            “It was one of those things that was tough,” said Roethlisberger. “Looking back I am glad we got it out of the way. I wasn’t real concerned with hurting it and making myself worse. I was more worried about later on in the season making it worse and not being there for the playoffs. I wanted to get it over with now so I would be there for the playoffs.”

 

             Roethlisberger did not travel to Green Bay and watched the game on television at home with some friends. It’s something he hopes never to have to repeat.

 

            “That was the toughest thing for me,” he said. “It’s one thing to stand on the sidelines and watch the game like Jacksonville. It’s different to watch it on TV and see my guys out there and know you are not out there with them. It was tough to watch, but we got the win and that was the most important thing.

 

            “I don’t like to watch my team play. I was sitting there yelling, screaming guys names, telling them good job, seeing some things that were going on. It was kind of interesting. I am sure the people watching with me were entertained by my antics.”

 

            Roethlisberger’s status beyond this week is unknown, but if it were up to him he wouldn’t have missed a game and would like to return for the Ravens game on Nov. 20.

 

            “I wanted to get out there and play this past weekend. I want to play this weekend,” he said. “I’m not going to be able to. The thing I have to realize is I don’t want to hurt this team. If I go out there right now I could probably get back but I would probably hurt them rather than help them. I have to know when I am finally helping the team and not hurting them.”

 

            Since he had his surgery get well cards have been coming in from fans. Those who see him around the city also approach him to wish him well when they see him. He is thankful for the support from Steelers fans.

 

            “I get a lot of support,” he said. “I appreciate it from the fans. It’s great the love and support that I get. People tell me to hurry and get back. I do appreciate all of the support I’ve gotten from the fans. It means a lot.”