Steelers notebook: Ben Roethlisberger didn't suffer concussion on practice hit

GREEN BAY, Wisc. — Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger went through the protocol, and it was determined he did not have a concussion from the hit he suffered in the Pittsburgh Steelers' final practice in advance of their preseason game Thursday against the Green Bay Packers.

Coach Mike Tomlin made the announcement before the game to sideline reporter Missi Matthews of Steelers.com.

Roethlisberger accompanied the team to Green Bay, although it was decided he would not play in the game before he was injured in practice Tuesday. Dressed in shorts and a T-shirt, Roethlisberger watched from the sideline.

Rookie third-round draft pick Mason Rudolph started at quarterback against the Packers. Josh Dobbs entered in the second half.

Roethlisberger was injured when fell and hit his head after colliding with offensive lineman Marcus Gilbert, who was trying to block linebacker Keion Adams. The incident happened on Roethlisberger's final pass on the "Seven Shots" 2-point simulation.

Gilbert said he saw Roethlisberger's head whip back and hit the ground. Roethlisberger was on his stomach, holding his head before teammates helped him to his feet. He walked off the field after conferring with general manager Kevin Colbert and members of the training staff.

Tomlin said it will be "business as usual" for Roethlisberger when the Steelers return to Pittsburgh and resume practice. The third preseason game, the only one Roethlisberger usually starts, is Aug. 25 against the Tennessee Titans at Heinz Field.

Roethlisberger has suffered at least three concussions on the field during his 14-year career.

Starters sit

Among the starters who did not play were center Maurkice Pouncey, wide receiver Antonio Brown, defensive tackle Cameron Heyward and cornerback Joe Haden.

Offensive lineman B.J. Finney started at center, his return coming one week after he sustained a quad contusion in the first half against the Philadelphia Eagles. Finney did not have a full practice in the week between games.

Matt Feiler started at left guard in place of Ramon Foster, who remains out with a bone bruise in his knee.

On defense, Bud Dupree returned at outside linebacker after missing the preseason opener with a concussion.

Dan McCullers started at nose tackle in place of Javon Hargrave, and Tyson Alualu was at end in favor of Heyward. With Haden sitting out a second consecutive game, Coty Sensabaugh got the start at left corner. Rookie first-rounder Terrell Edmunds started at safety in place of Sean Davis (groin).

Among the injured players that did not dress were running back Stevan Ridley, cornerback Marcus Allen, tight ends Xavier Grimble and Vance McDonald and linebacker T.J. Watt.

Watt, who has missed two weeks because of a hamstring injury, did extensive agility work before the game. At one point, he was dipping and ducking around the goal post to simulate pass-rushing drills.

Watt has not practiced since the second day the Steelers wore pads at training camp.

Getting his kicks

Chris Boswell, who is in line for a contract extension before the regular season, was rested against the Packers. Matt Wile, signed as a punter, handled the kicking duties in the game.

An indication that Wile would get a chance to kick came earlier in the week at training camp when he was used in field-goal drills.

Wile made 20 of 29 field-goal attempts, with a long of 52, during his college career at Michigan.

Wile has been in the NFL since 2015, and the Steelers are his fifth organization, following the Carolina Panthers, Dallas Cowboys, Atlanta Falcons and Arizona Cardinals.

Wile was not with a team last season.