Ben Roethlisberger throws TD on first drive, reaches 40,000-yard mark

— -- PITTSBURGH -- Now that's how you come back from a knee injury.

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger scorched the Cincinnati Bengals defense in his first series in more than a month, leading a 12-play, 80-yard touchdown drive that lasted nearly 8 minutes. On 3rd-and-goal from the 1, Roethlisberger found Antonio Brown toward the sideline for a score. He completed 5-of-6 passes for 43 yards on the drive.

Roethlisberger surpassed 40,000 passing yards on the drive, becoming the 16th NFL quarterback to reach that number and the ninth to do it with one team. Among active quarterbacks, Roethlisberger joins Peyton Manning, Eli Manning, Tom Brady and Drew Brees in the 40,000-yard club.

Roethlisberger reached the milestone in his 163rd game, the fifth-fewest games to reach that mark in NFL history, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

He has missed the last four games with a sprained left MCL and bone bruise.

Despite the quick start and the milestone moment, Roethlisberger finished 28-for-45 for 262 yards, the one touchdown and three interceptions.

The Steelers lost 16-10 as the team lost running back Le'Veon Bell to injury.