Roethlisberger: Physical practices a factor in Steelers' injury issues

The Pittsburgh Steelers are beat up.

An already extensive injury report has been adding key names with every passing week, and the club's most prominent player is now pointing to the intensity of practice sessions as a main reason for the absences throughout the roster.

"We have a lot of injuries," quarterback Ben Roethlisberger told 93.7 The Fan on Tuesday, via Ed Bouchette of The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "I think a lot of our stuff stems from we're one of the most physical football teams in training camp, in practice, you know. We do more hitting than most teams do and more (practices in) pads."

Among the notable players to have missed time early in the season are linebacker Ryan Shazier, offensive linemen Marcus Gilbert and Ramon Foster, as well as wide receivers Markus Wheaton and Eli Rogers.

Roethlisberger went on to recall the fact that the Detroit Lions had yet to hold a padded practice when the two teams met for joint practices in early August. By that point in the summer schedule, the Steelers were already in pads for nearly two weeks.

"We talk about being a physical football team and we are a physical football team, but we also have to take care of our guys," Roethlisberger said.

Pittsburgh has been able to overcome its injury issues thus far, winning all but one of their first five games to sit tied atop the AFC. The Steelers look to continue that impressive start when they head to Miami for a road matchup with the Dolphins this weekend.