Thankfully, it looks like Ben Roethlisberger will be ok. The Super Bowl winning quarterback will probably be released from the hospital within three to five days. He is now in fair condition after undergoing surgery for seven hours on Monday. It does not appear that Roethlisberger will sustain any career-threatening injuries.

The most serious injuries to Roethlisberger were a broken upper and lower jaw and a broken nose. Jaw injuries are not protected very well simply by an NFL helmet, which could post a problem in Roethlisberger returning by the season's opener. If Roethlisberger cannot go, the Steelers would likely start quarterback Charlie Batch or rookie Omar Jacobs.

Here is a list of the injuries that Roethlisberger actually sustained, as well as his condition, according to Dr. Larry M. Jones, chief of trauma at Mercy Hospital:

• Fractures to upper and lower jaws


• Mild concussion


• Fractured nose


• Fractured facial bones


• Multiple head lacerations


• Multiple abrasions and contusions


• Lost 2 teeth


• Chipped several teeth


• No evidence of any major structural damage to knees


• CT scan of brain showed no injury

The Steelers are aiming towards defending their Super Bowl title, and they know that Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Baltimore have all gotten better. If the Steelers are without Roethlisberger for a few games, it will without question effect the Steelers potential to win.