Can Ben Go the Distance?

After watching the Sunday NFL pregame shows and listening to their interviews with Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, I wonder if he can even play to a level good enough to beat the (8-3) Bengals. Ben says this is the Steelers (7-4) biggest game and they must win it to make the playoffs. He also said his thumb is still sore and besides not being able to grip the ball without pain, it even hurts when he hands off. Roethlisberger was given the choice of wearing a cast and being out for the rest of the season or a splint which would allow him to play, but would be cumbersome and painfull. He chose the splint. This is the first anyone had mentioned a season ending injury. So, when asked if his thumb was broken he said he wasn't able to disclose that information. That curious comment makes me wonder if this injury isn't worse than we've been made to believe by team sources. Waitng in the wings is Tommy Maddox and with his resent record you have to hope Ben is up to the task.