Pittsburgh Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger: Mark Barron hit was not "dirty"

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has insisted that the hit he received from St Louis Rams safety Mark Barron was not "dirty".

The 33-year-old has been ruled out for a minimum of six weeks after suffering an MCL sprain and a bone bruise when he was sacked by Barron in his side's win over Rams at Edward Jones Dome.

"I don't think it was a dirty hit. I don't think [Barron] was trying to take me out," Roethlisberger told reporters.

"According to the rules, it was a low hit, so maybe it should have been flagged. But I don't think he intentionally tried to do anything to hurt me."

Roethlisberger will miss games for the first time since the 2012 season.