Steelers | Ben Roethlisberger has small tear in rotator cuff

Pittsburgh Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger (shoulder) said he has a small tear in his rotator cuff but said his arm feels strong and it should not affects any of the throws he makes. "I'm good. It's OK, just sore," Roethlisberger said. "I have a little torn rotator cuff. That doesn't heal. We just have to hope it doesn't tear the rest of the way, according to Doc." He said he has been throwing less during camp which has helped his arm feel better.

Fantasy Tip: This news takes Roethlisberger from being a borderline sleeper to a risky backup. He is a tough guy and will try to work through it, but this injury will eventually require surgery. The question is how soon. His velocity could be affected as the season wears on. Pain tolerance will be an issue, as well, and the Steelers' offense may rely more on the ground game than the coaching staff had intended to.

Draft Big Ben as a low-end No. 2 with the hope that you have to play him only to cover a bye week. Leaving him for another owner to worry about is the ideal scenario. All of Pittsburgh's receiving targets should be downgraded slightly on your draft board, too.

2012-08-01 12:47:35 | Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - Ed Bouchette

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