Roethlisberger Returns From COVID List, Says Time Off Did Body Good

When you're Ben Roethlisberger's age, being placed on the COVID list for no good reason isn't always a bad thing.

"My body enjoyed the week off," he told reporters.

Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh Steelers host the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday. He was activated Saturday and will start. The Steelers are 8-0 for the first time in their decorated history. Yes, they are even better than Roethlisberger's first year (2004), when they rode his rookie magic to a 15-1 regular season.

That was 16 years ago, but Roethlisberger is basically the same guy. It's just that now, at age 38, he could use a little break once in a while. NFL players often say the pain sticks with you a little longer after 30. Roethlisberger is well past that.

So him being forced to sit may have been the best thing for a team that is on a roll.

And for the record, Roethlisberger was far away from the rest of the Steelers, but far from disconnected.

"I watched every play of practice, but you just watch it on your iPad at home so you don’t get to hear all those things," he said. "It was definitely a lot different than anything I have experienced before.”

Roethlisberger has thrown for 1,934 yards and 18 touchdowns on the season, with just four interceptions.