Goodell clears Roethlisberger to rejoin team activities

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has cleared Pittsburgh Steelers suspended quarterback Ben Roethlisberger to rejoin his teammates at team activities next week.

Roethlisberger, who was given a conditional six-game suspension that could be reduced to four games, underwent a behavioral evaluation.

"Commissioner Goodell has advised Steelers & Ben Roethlisberger that he is cleared to return to team activities next week," league spokesman Greg Aiello wrote on his Twitter account. "Commissioner's decision based on reports & recommendations of medical experts working with Ben. Commish will continue to monitor his progress.

"Commissioner will meet with Ben again at appropriate time. No decision has been made on any modification to length of his suspension. Commissioner will review progress prior to start of regular season and consider whether to reduce suspension to four games. Failure to cooperate and follow plan could result in longer suspension."

Roethlisberger was suspended by Goodell after he was investigated for alleged sexual assault of 20-year-old woman in Milledgeville, Ga. No charges were filed, though.

Roethlisberger has apologized for his behavior.

"Commissioner Goodell informed us today that based on the information he received from the clinical evaluations, he has cleared Ben Roethlisberger to return to the Steelers’ facility to take part in both meetings and practices," Steelers team president Art Rooney II said. "We look forward to having Ben re-join his teammates on the practice field.”

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