Steelers and Coach Mike Tomlin Fined for Violating NFL's Injury Report Policy

Remember back in Week 2 of the NFL season when Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger had to leave the game against the Seattle Seahawks in what ended up being a season-ending elbow injury?

Yeah, well, apparently Roethlisberger's elbow had been bothering him beforehand, which the team and head coach Mike Tomlin failed to make known on the injury report. Eight weeks later, the team's been fined $75,000 with Tomlin himself owing a $25,000 check to the league office.

The #Steelers have been fined $75,000 and coach Mike Tomlin fined $25,000 for violating the NFL Injury Report Policy by not accurately listing QB Ben Roethlisberger on the practice report prior to the team’s Week 2 game against #Seahawks, per me and @TomPelissero.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 1, 2019

Mason Rudolph and others had made comments about Big Ben feeling some pain in his elbow leading up to that game. Finally, we know why.

Thus, the NFL has levied a penalty against Tomlin and the Steelers.

This goes back to public comments by Mason Rudolph, among others, that Big Ben had complained of elbow pain in the week leading up to that Week 2 game, when he dropped out with a season-ending injury. The elbow wasn't listed on the participation report that week. https://t.co/DEAs8JddEH
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) November 1, 2019

We wouldn't go as far as to say the Steelers intentionally covered this up on the injury report, but the NFL isn't taking any chances.

Either way, the truth is out now and the team (and head coach) literally paid the price. As part of their new player safety initiative, the NFL is making the injury report part of their concrete plan to ensure their employees aren't taken advantage of. Intentional or not, the Steelers clearly violated that policy.