Roethlisberger Has Emergency Appendectomy

The NFL is reporting that Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger had emergency surgery after becoming ill shortly after practice.

"The surgery went well," Cowher said. "He is obviously going to be out this week and we will go week to week from there." The appendectomy was Roethlisberger's second surgery in 2-1/2 months and third surgery in 10 months.

The 2007 season will begin without the Steelers starting QB and potentially their star WR - as Hines Ward is still listed as questionable due to a pulled hamstring. Charlie Batch (2-0 in a fill-in roll last season) will start at QB this week.