The San Francisco 49ers will enter Sunday's home opener at Levi's Stadium going against an injury-depleted Pittsburgh Steelers team. The 49ers, who enter the game with a 2-0 record, have not started a season 3-0 since 1998.
Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, 37, left Sunday's game against the Seattle Seahawks with an elbow injury late in the second quarter of the 28-26 loss. The team announced on Monday morning that Roethlisberger will miss the remainder of the season. The quarterback underwent an MRI on Sunday night and will require surgery.
The #Steelers announce that QB Ben Roethlisberger had an MRI on his right elbow and will need surgery this week. He is out for the season.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 16, 2019
"We expect the surgery will be scheduled for this week," Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said via a statement. "He will be placed on our Reserve/Injured List and is out for the season."
The Steelers may also be without running back James Conner, who suffered a knee injury in the same game. He exited the game with 14:19 remaining in the fourth quarter and did not return. Conner finished the game with 11 carries for 33 yards and three receptions for 12 yards.
Mason Rudolph replaced Roethlisberger on Sunday and is likely to be the quarterback to face the 49ers during the upcoming weekend. He completed 12 of 19 pass attempts for 112 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception against the Seahawks while nearly leading Pittsburgh to a fourth-quarter comeback.