Steelers beat Chargers on late FG

The Associated Press

SAN DIEGO -- The Bus was back, and Ben Roethlisberger thrust both fists in the air as Jeff Reed's kick won it for the Steelers.

One problem: Roethlisberger was celebrating on the bench with his left leg wrapped in ice and bandages.

Shortly after Roethlisberger limped off the field with an apparent knee injury, Reed kicked a 40-yard field goal with 6 seconds left to give the Steelers a 24-22 win over the San Diego Chargers on Monday night.

"I feel great, I feel fresh," Jerome Bettis said after rushing for a touchdown in his season debut. "And officially, I am back."

Trailing 22-21, Roethlisberger moved the Steelers into San Diego territory and had completed a 9-yard pass to Antwaan Randle El when he was hit on the knee by the helmet of Chargers rookie lineman Luis Castillo.

After leaving the game Roethlisberger was replaced by Charlie Batch, who has played only a handful of downs the last three years. Batch handed off three straight times to Jerome Bettis before Reed's kick.

Roethlisberger ran for one touchdown and threw for another, and Bettis rushed for a TD in his season debut for the Steelers (3-1). San Diego (2-3) had its two-game winning streak snapped.

Roethlsiberger was driven off the field on a cart after the final gun.