Big Ben sore after return: 'I feel like I was just in a car accident'

Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger played his first game in almost a full calendar year Monday and was quickly reacquainted with the physicality that comes with playing in the NFL.

Luckily, for him and the Pittsburgh Steelers, he says his arm seems to be the only body part that is free of pain.

"I was saying today I feel like I was just in a car accident. Yesterday I felt like I was in a trainwreck. Hopefully, tomorrow it'll feel like I just fell off a bike. "I'm definitely sore. The good news is my arm is the only thing that doesn't hurt," Roethlisberger said, according to ESPN's Brooke Pryor.

Roethlisberger was sacked twice Monday night but the New York Giants' defense struggled to stop his aerial attack. The 38-year-old threw for 229 yards and three touchdowns en route to a 26-16 victory.

While Roethlisberger did lead his team to victory, the signal-caller admitted rust affected him during his return.

"There was rust early, and even late. It's not like I played perfect. I looked at some times that I maybe got up into the pocket a little too quick or didn't have the same feel in the pocket early on I'm probably used to having," he told reporters, including the Post-Gazette's Brian Batko.

Roethlisberger is returning from an elbow injury that forced him to miss 14 games last season. His next test will come Sunday against the Denver Broncos.