NFL: Steelers May Be Forced To Sign Backup Quarterback After Roethlisberger Injury

The Pittsburgh Steelers are off to a bad start for the 2019-20 NFL season, finding themselves in a 0-2 hole. They last lost to the Seattle Seahawks, 28-26, and things don't appear to be getting any easier. The Steelers saw starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger leave in the first half after seemingly injuring his right elbow.

With Roethlisberger sidelined, the Steelers were forced to go with backup Mason Rudolph. The 24-year-old made the first pass of his career although it was incomplete. His second one did not fare any better after it went through Donte Moncrief's hands and was intercepted.

Rudolph eventually settled down and ended up with 12 of 19 for 112 yards and two touchdowns. He made a good account of himself, helping the Steelers keep the game close. In fact, the Steelers trailed only 21-19 with 11:16 left in the game after Rudolph hit Vance McDonald with an 8-yard TD pass, Yahoo Sports reported.

Ironically, there were a lot of questions in the air when the Steelers drafted Rudolph during the 2018 NFL Draft. It was Roethlisberger who questioned the move since he wanted someone who can help Pittsburgh right away. Regardless, it appears that Rudolph is on the right track to prove the 37-year-old veteran quarterback wrong. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin appeared pleased with the performance of the sophomore, CBS Sports reported.

"I like some of the things he displayed," Tomlin said of Rudolph. "His communication, his grit. But we gotta find a way to win a football game. We weren't able to do that today."

It will be interesting if the Steelers can do better once Rudolph gets settled down. However, Pittsburgh may need to skim the market for a backup quarterback. There is no official word on how long Roethlisberger will be out as of this writing.

No names have been mentioned so far although the Steelers could also opt to promote Devlin Hodges. He is an undrafted rookie added to the practice squad last week after he failed to make Pittsburgh's initial 53-man roster.