Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger can return to team activities with the Steelers beginning next week, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said Thursday.

That is a signal that Roethlisberger has at least finished the first step of his punishment from the league by completing a behavioral evaluation and can rejoin his teammates for meetings and practices. The next scheduled organized team activity is Tuesday at the Steelers' practice facility.

"Based on the reports and recommendations of our medical experts, commissioner Goodell advised the Steelers and Ben Roethlisberger [Thursday] that he is cleared to return to team activities beginning next week," The NFL said in a statement. "The commissioner will continue to monitor Roethlisberger's progress as he begins the next phase of his recommended plan and will meet with Roethlisberger again at the appropriate time.

"There has been no decision on any modification to the length of Roethlisberger's suspension. In his April 21 disciplinary decision, commissioner Goodell announced that Roethlisberger is suspended without pay for the first six games of the regular season. The commissioner said he would review Roethlisberger's progress prior to the start of the regular season and consider whether to reduce the suspension to four games. Failure to cooperate and follow his plan could result in a longer suspension," the statement concluded.

Steelers President Art Rooney II also issued a statement saying, "We look forward to having Ben rejoin his teammates on the practice field."

Neither Roethlisberger nor his agent could be reached for comment.

Roethlisberger had not been allowed to participate in any team activities since Goodell suspended him in the wake of allegations that the quarterback sexually assaulted a 20-year-old college student in Milledgeville, Ga., in March. Roethlisberger was not charged with any crime, but Goodell nevertheless levied a series of punishments for violations of the NFL personal-conduct policy, citing the purchase of alcoholic drinks for underage women.

Although Roethlisberger can rejoin his teammates next week and play in preseason games, his suspension means he will miss at least the first four regular-season games and again will not be permitted to practice or work out at the Steelers' facility during that time.

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