"We know you'll be there, Ben": Broncos not buying Roethlisberger's runaround

FULL CARTOON IS AT BOTTOM OF POST. ENJOY!

“I just remember trying to twist there a little bit at the end. Soon as I hit the ground I felt something crunch. It didn’t feel good.”

Ah, the ever detailed Ben Roethlisberger personal injury report. No player has ever been so “forthcoming” about their injuries than the Steelers quarterback.

“As a thrower, on your right shoulder, I probably would rather have an injury anywhere else on my body other than my right shoulder,” he added to media on Wednesday morning. “Obviously, as a quarterback, you need your shoulder to work.”

Roethlisberger has been playing the game all week, talking about how he may not be able to throw the ball downfield, how he doesn’t want to hurt the team and so on, but the Broncos aren’t buying it.

“I still saw him making throws at the end of the game. The deep ball that he threw at the end of the game on that penalty, that was a small window he was getting the ball in,” said head coach Gary Kubiak. “He’s had a tremendous year. He’s a super player, as gutty as there is in our business. You know he’s going to be ready to go and be able to do all the things that he needs to do to win. I have a lot of respect for him.”

Cornerback Aqib Talib echoed the sentiment, including a message directly to the quarterback

“Ben can say whatever he wants. He has torn bursa sacs and he’ll be there,” he said. “We know Ben. We know you’ll be there, Ben.”

Sylvester Williams took it further, not only being sure Ben ould be there but being sure he wouldn’t even be limited.

“I still think he’s one of the best quarterbacks in the league,” he told. “We expect for him to come in here and give it everything he has. I know he’s going to be at his best. I can promise you that.”

In the end, though, the Broncos are more concerned with themselves.

“We’re not worried injuries. We’re playing the Pittsburgh Steelers. They’re going to get everything we have,” sadi safety T.J. Ward. “We’re not worried about individuals coming in hurt, maybe hurt or that may play. We’re getting ready for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Whoever plays, they’re going to get 100 percent of the Broncos ‘D’.”

Everything in the NFL is calculated and Roethlisberger’s daily diagnosis is no different, the Broncos will continue to prepare for the Steelers as if they will have their Super Bowl winning QB and if he’s not there there’s no downside for Denver, but he’ll be there.