Steelers Fans Should Stay Cautious With Ben Roethlisberger Injury Recovery Despite Encouraging Comments

Ben Roethlisberger's 2019 season was a complete wash due to an injury to his throwing arm, but his latest update should help Pittsburgh Steelers fans feel a bit more optimistic about his chances of playing at full strength in 2020.

Roethlisberger confirmed to Ed Bouchette of The Athletic that he will be ready to go by the OTAs and minicamp comes around.

Just because Roethlisberger confirmed that there is indeed a light at the end of the tunnel, the Steelers and their fans shouldn't be inclined to rush him back. Let him come back only when he himself confirms he is fully healed up and ready to roll.

Roethlisberger managed just six quarters of action last year, leaving the starting quarterback responsibilities to Mason Rudolph and Devlin Hodges. While both of them had their moments, Rudolph confirmed that he is nothing more than a solid backup while Hodges confirmed he was...bad.

On a so-so roster without a lot of draft picks in 2020, a lot is riding on Roethlisberger and his health. If Rudolph and Hodges are forced to take over the starting gig once again, a Steelers team that has already let the Baltimore Ravens leapfrog them in the AFC North hierarchy faces the possibility of letting the Cleveland Browns do the same.

Big Ben is in for a pivotal season, one which could be one of his last in Pittsburgh. The Steelers' playoff hopes for 2020 are housed solely in Roethlisberger's right arm. If he is unable to play at 100 percent, the Steelers' postseason chances are as good as dead.