The NFL has fined the Pittsburgh Steelers and coach Mike Tomlin for violating a league policy nearly two months ago, ESPN and NFL Network reported Friday.
According to the reports, the fines — $75,000 for the club and $25,000 for Tomlin — stem from the team’s handling of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger’s elbow injury prior to the Week 2 game against the Seattle Seahawks. Roethlisberger suffered a season-ending, non-contact injury to his elbow against Seattle.
Per the reports, the Steelers listed Roethlisberger as did not practice Wednesday before Week 2 and listed the reason as “not injury related.” He then practiced in full Thursday and Friday. The team typically gives the veteran quarterback Wednesday off before he practices the rest of the week.
But according to the reports, some with the team knew that Roethlisberger had been dealing with elbow issues prior to the game. Center Maurkice Pouncey reportedly told an ESPN reporter after the game that he knew Roethlisberger had experienced elbow soreness “for the last few years.”