The Steelers took care of business on Sunday against the Miami Dolphins, by winning the AFC Wild Card game 30-12.

However, it wasn’t without some last minute drama that probably has some Steelers fans (myself included) wondering why with a 3-score lead, Coach Tomlin finally took out Le’Veon Bell and gave DeAngelo Williams some snaps, but didn’t remove Ben Roethlisberger from the game, and replace him with Landry Jones.

With the second-coldest game in Heinz Field history, the potential for injury is increased in the arctic conditions. Antonio Brown started missing some catches (which he never does) Ben was throwing passes a bit too high, and overall, with a game that was put out of reach once they hit 30 on the scoreboard, it appeared the offense had started to run out of steam when they only needed to run out the clock.

On the final offensive series for Pittsburgh, Miami DE Cameron Wake applies pressure to Roethlisberger, as the quarterback made an ill-advised pass and was intercepted. In the process of the attempted sack, Wake rolled up on Big Ben’s right ankle.

Ben walked off the field gingerly, and was actually clutching and rotating his right shoulder, while grimacing. Everyone had hoped he didn’t hurt the shoulder on his throwing arm, but it came as more of a surprise when Roethlisberger showed up for this post-game press conference in a walking boot instead.

That’s obviously not what any fan, player or coach wants to see in a game that was already wrapped up in the last 5 minutes.

However, there’s no need to panic: Ben mentioned he would play Sunday, Mike Tomlin didn’t acknowledge it in his post-game comments, and the reality of his “potential” injury is not as bad as it appears on all accounts.

I am going to comment based on my medical expertise of the injury, the video replay (I’ve reviewed this at least a dozen times), photos of the tackle, and the placement of the leg bend

We have to assume the “boot” is precautionary, to stop or minimize any swelling that can occur after that type of roll upon.

As first glance it does not appear to be a high ankle sprain but more of a Plantar Flexion Sprain/Strain.

Ankle plantar flexion is the direction of motion that is pointing your toes away from you. When you step on the gas pedal in your car, you are performing plantar flexion. This motion may become limited after an ankle sprain, or after a period of immobilization after an ankle injury.

Since Ben was playing in below freezing temperatures, that actually helped to minimize the swelling during the game, right after it happened.

Now as they come off the field into a warm locker room, and adrenaline is decreasing, the pain of any injuries, as well as inflammation (swelling) will set in. Again, if this is in fact the injury Ben sustained, then he will be in a walking boot for a couple of days, to minimize any swelling. Icing the area, he will then be working to improve and plantar flexion ROM (range of motion) that stiffened up while in the boot.

This will be the typical home or trainer room workout instructions for this minor injury:

• Push your foot forward away from you (while keeping knees straight) by moving your ankle. Continue until either discomfort is felt, or you can no longer bend your foot forward.
• Hold this position for 15 seconds.
• Return to neutral position.
• Repeat above steps 10 more times.
• Along with icing 4-5 time per day.

Please do not get this confused with plantar “fascia” strain include localized tenderness and pain over the plantar fascia which runs from the heel to the forefoot under the foot. There may be a sudden sharp pain at the time of injury under the heel or arch of the foot. A nodule or lump may be present in the plantar fascia, which might indicate a partial rupture.

That is a much worse scenario, and many observers get these two injuries confused, and this is an issue.

The treatment of a plantar fascia strain is similar but it is more about rest, and healing, and that does not appear to the the issue here and could lead to a misrepresentation of Ben’s injury, as we had earlier in regular season when ESPN reported a Medial Meniscus knee repair (possible 4-6 weeks out) for Ben instead of a Meniscus “trim” (1-3 weeks out).

For that injury he was only out 20 days.

For both injuries, a sports injury professional can tape the arch of the foot to provide support. Ben may also get some minimal electrotherapy such as ultrasound to reduce any pain, swelling and residual inflammation.

They have the best medical professionals at the Steelers facility, and you know any attention Big Ben needs will be handled as we prepare for the Divisional Round in Kansas City next Sunday.

So don’t panic. Ben will be okay, with only 3 games left to get to the Steelers coveted 7th Lombardi trophy.