Roethlisberger’s suspension cut

Ben Roethlisberger is getting time off for good behavior.

He will be back on the field for the Pittsburgh Steelers two games earlier than scheduled after convincing Commissioner Roger Goodell that he is turning his life around.

The quarterback, accompanied by team President Art Rooney, met with Goodell early Friday at an undisclosed location in New Jersey and was told that he can return Oct. 17 against the Cleveland Browns after sitting out the first four games of the season.

In April, Roethlisberger was suspended for six games for violating the league’s personal conduct policy, but Goodell said at the time that he would track the quarterback’s behavior over the next few months.

“You have told me and the Steelers that you are committed to making better decisions,” Goodell said in a letter to the two-time Super Bowl winner. “Your actions over the past several months have been consistent with that promise and you must continue to honor that commitment.”

Roethlisberger was accused of sexually assaulting a college student after a night of drinking in a Milledgeville, Ga., bar March 5. He was not charged by Georgia authorities.

The league said the “reinstatement is contingent on Roethlisberger continuing to adhere to the program established by our advisors and avoiding any further violations of the personal conduct policy.”

Etc.

Byron Leftwich, who strained a ligament in his left knee Thursday, could sit out for most or all of the first month of the season, leaving the Steelers with two healthy quarterbacks -- Dennis Dixon and Charlie Batch -- for their opening game. . . . Browns rookie running back Montario Hardesty is out for the season after he tore a ligament in his left knee in his NFL debut Thursday. . . . Denver Broncos linebacker Elvis Dumervil, who is recovering from a torn chest muscle, posted a message on his Twitter account confirming that he will be put on injured reserve, ending his season. . . . In need of a backup for Eli Manning after Jim Sorgi was put on injured reserve, the New York Giants acquired quarterback Sage Rosenfels from the Minnesota Vikings for undisclosed draft picks. . . . Detroit Lions rookie defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh was fined $7,500 by the NFL for his hit on Browns quarterback Jake Delhomme last Saturday. . . . The San Diego Chargers acquired disgruntled wide receiver Patrick Crayton from the Dallas Cowboys for undisclosed considerations. . . . The Denver Broncos put running back LenDale White, who tore his right Achilles’ tendon Thursday, on injured reserve. . . . The Arizona Cardinals traded starting guard Reggie Wells to the Philadelphia Eagles for an undisclosed draft pick. . . . Indianapolis police said Colts defensive tackle Fili Moala was arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated, public intoxication and speeding.