Steelers coach Mike Tomlin is offended by accusations the team did not follow proper protocol when it came to the injury evaluations of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and tight end Heath Miller in Saturday’s AFC wild-card game against the Baltimore Ravens.
Several journalists have opined the Steelers put Roethlisberger and Miller back into the game too soon after they were hit in the head and neck area late in the fourth quarter of the 30-17 loss that ended their season.
“I assure you the proper protocol was followed,” Tomlin said this afternoon in his final news conference of the season. “That’s how we do business. I have that level of trust in our medical staff and the understanding they have of how we do business. I take offense to the assumption that we would put those guys in harm’s way.”
Roethlisberger left the game for three plays and described his injury as whiplash. He said on his radio show today he was not concussed.
Miller left the game for two plays. He was not available to speak with reporters on Monday, when the players were clearing out their lockers.
Tomlin revealed Roethlisberger is one of a handful of players who are candidates to have minor surgery to fix some nagging injuries. Roethlisberger could have a minor procedure done on an ailing knee. Reserve tight end Matt Spaeth could have a minor procedure on his elbow and safety Mike Mitchell is a candidate to repair a groin injury.
Cornerback Cortez Allen, who went onto injured reserve last month with a thumb injury, already had a minor procedure done on his knee.
Tomlin said injuries did not play a role in how any of those players performed this season, specifically Mitchell.
“I’m not into the excuse-making,” Tomlin said. “I’m not going to speculate how that might affect his performance. Oftentimes, players play in circumstances that are not ideal. I appreciate his efforts, but I’m not going to quantify it. He was well enough to play.”
Tomlin will begin exit meetings with players and coaches today. He would not address the status of longtime defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau or any other coach for that matter.
It hasn’t always been that way for Tomlin.
In January 2012, following the overtime loss to Denver in an AFC wild-card game, Tomlin said he “anticipated” LeBeau and offensive coordinator Bruce Arians to return. A short time later, the team announced Arians would not be back.
Ray Fittipaldo: rfittipaldo@post-gazette.com and Twitter @rayfitt1.
First Published: January 6, 2015, 6:19 p.m.
