Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will not report to the Steelers' offseason conditioning program.
Team spokesman Dave Lockett says the two-time Super Bowl quarterback is not expected to join his teammates this week for voluntary offseason workouts that begin Monday.
After discussing whether Roethlisberger's presence would create too much of a distraction, the decision was made for him not to attend the team's offseason program, according to a source.
Such workouts are not open to reporters, but a large number were expected at the Steelers headquarters Monday because Roethlisberger has not commented on the Georgia incident since it occurred earlier this month.
It remains uncertain when Roethlisberger will report to the team.
Last week, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said he expected Roethlisberger to arrive with the rest of the Pittsburgh veterans. The quarterback also skipped voluntary workouts with the team two weeks ago.
The conditioning work involves no on-field practicing, but instead emphasizes lifting weights and getting into football shape.
Roethlisberger is accused of assaulting a 20-year-old college student in a Georgia nightclub on March 5, but charges have not been filed. Roethlisberger's lawyer says the quarterback committed no crime. An investigation is ongoing.
Roethlisberger also is being sued by a woman who says he raped her in 2008 at a Lake Tahoe hotel. He denies the allegation and has asked for counterdamages.
The Steelers aren't scheduled to begin on-field practicing until April 19, when they begin OTAs -- NFL shorthand for organized team activities. Such practices resemble those held during the season and starting quarterbacks usually take part in most sessions unless they are injured.
Despite the strong start to Roethlisberger's career -- he has taken the Steelers to two NFL titles and three AFC Championship Games in six seasons -- and the estimated $66 million left on his $102 million contract, the Steelers are clearly upset with the quarterback's off-field problems.
Team president Art Rooney II has met with Roethlisberger, and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell also plans to meet with the quarterback at an unspecified time. Tomlin also has been in constant contact with Roethlisberger.
"We take this issue very seriously," Goodell said on March 22. "I am concerned that Ben continues to put himself in this position.
Rooney said the Steelers are "in a situation [where] we're going to let this investigation play out and then go from there."
The NFL has not said if Roethlisberger might be suspended if he is charged in the Georgia case.
Despite Roethlisberger's problems, Steelers director of football operations Kevin Colbert said the team does not anticipate drafting a quarterback in the early rounds next month.
Mathieu’s season appears overBen Roethlisberger has not met with Georgia Bureau of Investigations
