Ben Roethlisberger targets return in two weeks, could be out up to six weeks

Ben Roetlhlisberger is taking the optimistic view for his return from knee surgery.

The Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Tuesday that he hopes to be back for his team's Nov. 6 game against the Baltimore Ravens following a bye. Roethlisberger, who has already been ruled out for Sunday's game against the New England Patriots, said that he realizes that might be a stretch, especially given the complications from a knee injury that kept him out of four games last year.

“Doc says my knee looked good, but there still was some stuff in there from when I had my bone bruise last season in St. Louis,” Roethlisberger said. “He said that might keep me out a little longer than just a simple meniscus tear. Maybe an extra week or so. But there’s no way to put an exact timetable on it. It all depends on my pain and how I feel.”

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Roethlisberger could be out four to six weeks while he recovers, according to multiple reports. The Steelers have not provided a timetable for Roethlisberger's return.

Steelers president Art Rooney II told USA TODAY Sports on Tuesday he was holding out hope for his quarterback to make a return in two to three weeks.

“Keeping my fingers crossed,” Rooney said. “They’re always different cases.”

Follow Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz on Twitter @MikeMSchwartz.

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