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The Return of Big Ben

Since leading the Pittsburgh Steelers to eight straight wins at the end of last season, culminating in a Super Bowl victory, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has had a stressful few months. First there was the near-fatal June 12 motorcycle accident, and then an appendicitis attack. Roethlisberger had an appendectomy on September 3, which made him miss the Steelers` season-opening 28-17 victory over Miami on Thursday. He is listed as questionable for Monday night`s match against Jacksonville.

While coach Bill Cowher may not decide until Saturday or Sunday whether his quarterback will start the game, or if backup QB Charlie Batch would throw for the Steelers, Roethlisberger seems to have already made up his mind: He wants to be on the field for the teams only Monday night game this season.

Roethlisberger threw to some receivers Tuesday, a day the team otherwise did not work out, and has told Cowher he wants to play. "The bottom line is making sure he`s comfortable, he feels like he can protect himself and he`s going out there not thinking about those things," Cowher said. "It`s getting the (medical) clearance, dealing with going through the work load and seeing how his body responds to that."