Pittsburgh's preparation for a pivotal season finale against the Cleveland Browns has begun without the help of Ben Roethlisberger.
The Steelers star quarterback went home sick on Wednesday ahead of the team's first practice session of the week, per NFL Media's Aditi Kinkhabwala.
It's hardly a pressing concern for the Steelers, as we fully expect Roethlisberger to suit up for Sunday's clash with the Browns. While Cleveland was eliminated from the postseason eons ago, Pittsburgh needs a win in Week 17 along with a Jets loss to the Bills in order to qualify for an AFC wild-card berth.
Roethlisberger struggled in last Sunday's loss to the Ravens, tossing a pair of costly interceptions in a stunning 20-17 collapse in Baltimore. Prior to Week 16, the Steelers looked like one of the AFC's most electric clubs on offense, but now they're on the brink of elimination.
Cleveland's defense, though, has been helping quarterbacks get well all season and might be the perfect medicine for Big Ben and his band of Black and Gold gridiron minions.