PITTSBURGH --?Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger absolutely expects Andrew Luck to take the field for the Indianapolis Colts on Thursday night, but he cautions the star quarterback to be smart while in concussion protocol.Roethlisberger is drawing from experience after 12-plus years in the league and multiple concussion-related issues.The brain is nothing to mess with, Roethlisberger told Indianapolis reporters on a conference call. He is young and has a long career ahead of himself.Roethlisberger, 34, said he has to expect Luck, 27, to play because Lucks a tough competitor and one of the best in the game. But he wouldnt knock Luck for sitting if necessary.The Tennessee Titans sacked Luck twice and hit him eight times in the Colts win Sunday, with defensive tackle Austin Johnsons fourth-quarter hit likely forcing Luck into the concussion protocol.Luck must be cleared before playing. Scott Tolzien is the backup. On the season, Luck is averaging 3.5 sacks per game.Roethlisberger was in the protocol last season after taking a hit from Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Michael Bennett in a Week 12 loss. He played the next game, with six full days to recover compared to Lucks three days this week. Roethlisberger said after that game that he didnt have a concussion. Roethlisberger has taken 453 sacks in his career, 34 in the past two seasons. Roethlisbergers concussion history dates to at least 2006, when he was questionable for a game with the Oakland Raiders while coming off a head injury.When asked by Indianapolis media whether hes kept track of his concussions, Roethlisberger said, I have no idea. Maybe too many.I have played this game a long time and younger days in my career when I wouldnt have [missed time], and there were many times that Ive said that I havent told anybody that I had been dinged or had a concussion, Roethlisberger said. Looking back on it, I wish I wouldnt have. You have to be smart when it comes to your brain because you only play football for such a short period of your life. When you have a family and people that you are going to be with for the long term, you have to really make sure your health is taken care of.Roethlisberger has played through several injuries as part of what he calls a violent sport. One injury cant be played through, he says.You can rub dirt on a lot of things, but you cant rub dirt on the brain, Roethlisberger said.ESPNs Mike Wells contributed to this report.Trevon Wesco Jersey . Emery skated the length of the ice and fought an unwilling Holtby during the third period of the Flyers 7-0 loss Friday night in Philadelphia. He was given 29 penalty minutes, including a game misconduct. But Emery did not face even a disciplinary hearing with NHL senior vice president of player safety Brendan Shanahan because rules 46. Mark Gastineau Womens Jersey . LOUIS -- St. http://www.jetsrookiestore.com/Jets-Le-Veon-Bell-Jersey/ . -- Jaye Marie Green shot a 4-under 68 on Thursday to increase her lead to five strokes after the second round of the LPGA Tours qualifying tournament. Quinnen Williams Womens Jersey . Aside from the trilogy main event title fight, there are a number of intriguing matchups in the heavyweight, welterweight and lightweight divisions. Trevon Wesco Jets Jersey .C. -- Rodney Hood connected from all over the court while freshman Jabari Parker was busy swatting shots and scoring in transition.NEW YORK -- Jacob deGrom will make his much-anticipated return to the New York Mets starting rotation Sunday to face the Minnesota Twins at Citi Field.DeGrom, who is 7-8 with a 3.04 ERA this season, hasnt pitched since Sept. 1, when he suffered a third loss in as many starts. He?has been sidelined with forearm inflammation.Manager Terry Collins decided deGrom would start Sunday after watching him throw a bullpen session that went approximately 30 pitches.I just saw him throw his pen, Collins said. [He] threw the ball great.Collins decided that Rafael Montero would not pitch Sunday after he was ineffective again in an 8-1 loss to the Nationals on Monday. Noah Syndergaard, who went seven innings in Tuesdays win over Washington,?also was a candidate to start Sunday, but Collins said he wanted Syndergaard to have an extra day of rest before his next start.We talked to Noah, [and] he actually thought he could use an extra day after [Tuesday], Collins said. So we thought itd be a good time to get Jake in there. Not only do we think hes ready ... we know how good he can be in the daytime.Well probably limit the workload a little bit -- 75. If he gets the last hitter at 78 or so, [well] probably let him finish it. But hell be right in that area.Collins said the team is not expecting a vintage performance from deGrom on Sunday.Our expectations right now are to kind of build him back up a little bit, Collins said. I think he will dictate a lot by how he feels, but we certainly hope -- hes basically going to get three starts --- were hoping that we can get him back up to where, if we get in the postseason, hes a viable option for us.dddddddddddd We certainly think hes going to be fine, but we dont have a crystal ball here to know whats going to happen after he throws Sunday.Obviously, the effort levels going to be pretty intense with him, and well see how he bounces back from it, but were just glad to have him back.Another Mets starter who has been sidelined, Steven Matz, is making progress toward a possible late-season return. Matz last pitched Aug. 14 and has been sidelined with a shoulder impingement. He is scheduled to throw a full bullpen session Saturday at the team complex in Port St. Lucie, Florida.If Steven can come back, thatd be a nice piece to have as we get into those last few games, Collins said.Other injured Mets are back and ready to contribute, or at least close to returning. Former Gold Glove centerfielder Juan Lagares, who had surgery in July to repair a ligament in his thumb, is available as a defensive replacement or pinch runner. First baseman Lucas Duda, out since May with a stress fracture in his lower back, will rejoin the team Saturday, though its uncertain how much hell be able to contribute, because he hasnt faced in-game pitching in nearly four months.Infielder Wilmer Flores had a cortisone injection to address inflammation in his right wrist and is still a few days from returning. ' ' '
