When the Steelers take on the Browns Thursday, Pittsburgh’s star quarterback will be in the same position he’s been for most of this season’s games: watching from the sidelines. However, he says he’ll represented on the field regardless.

Ben Roethlisberger, who suffered an elbow injury that required surgery just two games into the season, has been working with his replacement, Mason Rudolph, to become his own “Mini-Me” of sorts. “I think Mason is doing great,” Roethlisberger says. “He’s doing some really good things. It doesn’t matter what comes his way. He stays in the pocket when he needs to. He makes plays when he needs to. I think he’s playing awesome. I’m proud of him.”

As for his own return, Roethlisberger says he’s learned to accept the fact that he won’t be part of the lineup anytime soon; so now he’s just focusing on healing and getting into shape for the Steelers’ next season. “Just taking it nice and slow, doctors’ orders,” he says. “It’s all about what they say.”

Do you think Rudolph is as capable as Roethlisberger? Would it make sense for Pittsburgh to let the aging Roethlisberger go and keep Rudolph?