It seems that Ben Roethlisberger has shown some impressive progress, or at least to Roger Goodell, Commissioner of the NFL.  Goodell is so satisfied with Roethlisberger’s improvement in his behavioral sessions that he is allowing him to return to practice sessions with the Pittsburgh Steelers as early as next week.

Roethlisberger was suspended for a total of six games without pay earlier this year.  He was initially suspended due to allegedly violating terms within the NFL’s personal conduct policy.  He was then required to participate in behavioral evaluations.  This all steamed from a sexual assault case in Georgia.  A young Georgia college student claimed that Roethlisberger sexually assaulted her, which Roethlisberger denied, and although the charges ended up being dropped because of insufficient evidence, he still suffered the consequences of his behavior that night through NFL suspension.

When the suspension was first announced, NFL Commissioner Goodell made it very clear that he could extend or decrease the suspension of Roethlisberger at any given time.  It appears that he has decided to decrease that suspension, at least a little bit.

However, what we should all keep in mind, as well Roethlisberger, is that just because he has returned to practice does not mean that he won’t have the six game suspension.  He was suspended from all NFL activities in April when he received the information on his suspension.  This included six games once the season started as well as practices, camp, and all pre-season games.

Roethlisberger is expected to begin practicing with the Steelers next Tuesday with their first practice of three next week.  Roethlisberger will also be permitted to participate in pre-season games.

If Roethlisberger keeps up the good work, though, Goodell may just decrease the amount of games that Roethlisberger won’t be participating in to four. Now, if the suspension is reduced by Goodell to four season games, then Roethlisberger will be able to participate in a home game on October 17 where the Steelers will be going up against the Cleveland Browns.

Related News

• Reports Confirmed: NFL Puts Roethlisberger on Six Game Suspension
• NFL Reduces Pittsburgh Steelers’ Ben Roethlisberger Suspension to Four Games
• Roethlisberger Partaking in Conditioning Sessions; Beef Jerky Sponsorship Lost
• McRath of the Titans Handed Four Game Suspension
• Could Big Ben Roethlisberger be getting traded?