Roethlisberger: My backups were 'thanking me' for skipping OTAs

Ben Roethlisberger's backups were grateful to him for going on vacation during organized team activities earlier in the offseason because it allowed them to get more practice reps, the Pittsburgh Steelers veteran said Wednesday.

"I know those guys really enjoyed it, and they were thanking me for it," Roethlisberger told Sean Gentille of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Roethlisberger suited up for practice Wednesday, marking the first time he took the field with the rest of his team this offseason. The 36-year-old missed most of the Steelers' voluntary workouts in May and June while on vacation with his family.

His earlier absences resulted in more snaps for third-round rookie Mason Rudolph, second-year pivot Joshua Dobbs, and veteran backup Landry Jones.

"If (head coach Mike Tomlin) asked me to be here every day, I would be here every day, but they haven't asked me to do that," Roethlisberger said of his previous whereabouts.

It's been a bumpy offseason for Big Ben, who made headlines after the NFL draft for criticizing the Steelers' selection of Rudolph in the third round, and later saying he'd "point to the playbook" if the rookie asked him for help. Roethlisberger eventually clarified that he'll help Rudolph, just as he's helped his other backups in the past.

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