Let's start by recapping how the Steelers fared while Roethlisberger was serving his suspension over the first four weeks of the season. They held a strong 3-1 record while not surprisingly ranked last in the NFL in passing yards per game (136). They started the year with Dennis Dixon but he was put out of service after suffering a torn meniscus in his left knee in Week 2 at Tennessee. The club then turned to Charlie Batch, who gravely struggled in a loss to Baltimore after firing three touchdown passes in Week 3 at Tampa Bay. The Steelers leaned on the running game over that span, and Rashard Mendenhall did not disappoint by bruising his way to 411 rushing yards in four starts with a solid 4.6 yards-per-carry average.

Now heading into Week 6 versus Cleveland - which is a nice match-up for Roethlisberger to get back into rhythm - Pittsburgh will certainly improve greatly in the passing department, while likely still maintaining a strong running game. So fantasy owners of Mendenhall should not be concerned that his carries or production will take a hit. If you look back to 2009, Mendenhall reached or exceeded 20 carries five times in the last nine games –- and all but one of those outings had Roethlisberger at the helm of the offense. If anything, the return of Roethlisberger will make Mendenhall better as opposing defenses won't be able to stack the line of scrimmage and will have to respect the passing attack once again, as frankly neither Dixon nor Batch scared anyone.  

Speaking of the aerial attack, deep threat Mike Wallace looks to benefit the most as Roethlisberger has a cannon for an arm and knows how to use it. Wallace only made nine receptions over the four-game stretch without Big Ben, but held a stellar 23.4 yards-per-catch average and reached paydirt twice. You all know the expression “lightning in a bottle” and we feel that the top of that bottle will be flying off for Wallace with Ben back in action, possibly as soon as this weekend vs. Cleveland –- which is reflected in our FFCPI rating. It is also worth noting that Wallace averaged 75 yards over the final three games as a rookie in 2009, and scored three touchdowns over that span. Future Hall of Famer Hines Ward should also see a significant boost in production, as he averaged just 19 receiving yards over his last three outings. Tight end Heath Miller should be relevant in fantasy leagues again as well after catching just 10 passes for 100 yards and no scores in the first quarter of the season. He notably broke out with 76 receptions for 789 yards and six touchdowns in 2009, and is worth targeting if released to the waiver wire over the last few weeks.

As for Roethlisberger himself, he should be targeted if still dangling on the waiver wire and should post good numbers in his first game back, even though he may get mixed reactions from the home crowd at Heinz Field stemming from his off-the-field incident which we won't mention again. The bottom line is this –- Roethlisberger should prove to be an asset again for the Steelers and fantasy owners if he can just stay out of trouble and if all entities involved allow him to get his career and life back on the right track.