Jones was roundly rebuked for making light of concussions, and said he would apologize only if the head trauma forced Brown to miss the divisional round game.
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Roethlisberger reportedly participated in the full practice Friday after suffering a sprained AC joint and what he said were torn ligaments in his right shoulder after being sacked by Cincinnati linebacker Vontaze Burfict.
Roethlisberger is listed as questionable for Sunday’s divisional round game at Denver.
“We will just kind of take it day-by-day, but probably hour-by-hour really”, Roethlisberger told the team’s official website.
By the time they take the field in Denver, the Broncos and Steelers will know which team awaits the victor, since the New England Patriots (12-4) and Kansas City Chiefs (11-5) play on Saturday.
So how in the world can the Steelers overcome so much and put themselves one game away from their ninth Super Bowl appearance? Behind Brown, Bryant proved to be an explosive playmaker throughout the season for Pittsburgh, as he averaged over 15 yards per reception. The Bengals linebacker was then suspended for the first three games next season.
Aside from Brown being ruled out, RB DeAngelo Williams will also be out for the second straight game with a foot injury. Even if he does play, there’s speculation that Roethlisberger’s shoulder won’t be strong enough to handle deep throws. Brown was easily the team’s leader in receptions (136), yards receiving (1,834), touchdowns (10) and targets (195), but Bryant had 10 catches against the Broncos last month while Wheaton had a 40-yard reception against the Broncos to go with a touchdown catch. “Shoot, I’m cutting him”. Mike Munchak, who very literally got physical with a Bengals player, joins Porter in the rare instance of assistant coaches not only getting involved where their job titles do not describe, but getting fined for it.
And finally, Domata Peko and Wallace Gilberry of the Bengals were each fined $8,681 for unnecessary roughness while Steelers offensive lineman Ramon Foster was fined $17,363 for unnecessary roughness.
“We got lucky the first time”, said Roethlisberger, the only quarterback to throw for 300 yards against the Broncos in 2015.
Osweiler has been hampered by a knee injury he suffered in the regular season finale against San Diego two weeks ago. They lost control of their emotions at the worst possible time last Saturday night, allowing Pittsburgh to escape with an 18-16 victory.
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“If [Brown was cleared to play], obviously, we would be excited about that”, receiver Markus Wheaton said.
