Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has dislocated rib too

Ben Roethlisberger’s sprained right shoulder is only the start of his problems.

The Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback said Wednesday he also dislocated a rib while being sacked in the third quarter of Monday night’s win against Kansas City. Roethlisberger sprained the SC joint in his shoulder on the play but said the rib issue is a bigger concern.

Roethlisberger said doctors are concerned the rib could cut into his aorta. He has already been ruled out of Sunday’s game against the Baltimore Ravens. Backup Byron Leftwich will start in his place, though Roethlisberger doesn’t believe the injuries will end his season.

“I don’t think so. I don’t know, though, but I’m not a medical expert,” Roethlisberger said. “I just know I’m going to do what I can to get back.”

The quarterback added the pain level is “9 on a scale of 1 to 10.”

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San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith went through position work in a noncontact black jersey Wednesday, his status still unclear for Monday night’s NFC showdown with the Chicago Bears after he suffered a concussion Sunday against the St. Louis Rams.

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Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick did not practice Wednesday but has not yet been ruled out of Sunday’s game versus the Washington Redskins.

Vick suffered a concussion in the second quarter of a 38-23 loss to the Dallas Cowboys four days ago.

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A person familiar with the situation said DeAngelo Hall has been fined $30,000 for his confrontation with an official in the Redskins’ loss to the Steelers last month.

ETC.

Tuberville to get public reprimand

The Big 12 Conference said it will issue Texas Tech football Coach Tommy Tuberville a public reprimand for his sideline outburst at a graduate assistant during last weekend’s win against Kansas.

Conference spokesman Bob Burda said that Commissioner Bob Bowlsby issued the reprimand verbally. A letter also will be sent to the school, Burda said.

Tuberville said he has apologized to Kevin Oliver, whose headset and cap were knocked off when the coach pulled on Oliver’s headset.

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Zane Fakes’ 13-yard touchdown catch with 8:14 to play secured Ball State’s 52-27 victory over Ohio at Muncie, Ind. Fakes caught seven passes for 58 yards and two touchdowns for the Cardinals (8-3, 5-2 Mid-American). The Bobcats (8-3, 4-3) have lost three of their last four games after starting the season 7-0.

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Jordan Lynch threw for 407 yards and three touchdowns, and Northern Illinois defeated Toledo, 31-24, at De Kalb, Ill, to claim a spot in the Mid-American Conference championship game. Lynch also ran for 162 yards for the Huskies (10-1, 7-0), who extended the longest home winning streak in Division I to 21 games. Toledo (8-3, 5-2) led, 14-7, at halftime.

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Ducks defenseman Cam Fowler signed to play for Sodertalje of Sweden’s second-tier Allsvenskan league during the NHL lockout.

As the lockout of players approached the two-month mark, no formal talks were planned between the NHL and the Players’ Assn. The league has canceled all games through Nov. 30 and the Jan. 1 Winter Classic. Without a new collective bargaining agreement in place within the next week or so, the NHL probably would begin canceling December games.

—Helene Elliott

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Mix Diskerud scored his first international goal in the third minute of injury time, giving the United States a 2-2 tie against Russia in an exhibition at Krasnodar, Russia.