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Sources: Ben Roethlisberger to be suspended 4-6 games

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Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will receive a suspension of four to six games from the NFL on Wednesday, according to a source with knowledge of the decision.

The person spoke to The Associated Press on Wednesday on the condition of anonymity because the league hasn’t announced its decision.

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ESPN first reported the suspension.

ESPN and FoxSports.com are also reporting that the suspension would include conditions that would allow the length of the ban to be reduced based on Roethlisberger’s behavior.

In March a 20-year-old college student accused Roethlisberger of sexually assaulting her in a Georgia nightclub, but prosecutors last week decided not to charge Roethlisberger in the case.

The Steelers, who were preparing for a suspension of as many as eight games, reacquired quarterback Byron Leftwich from Tampa Bay on Tuesday night for a seventh-round draft pick. Leftwich is expected to compete with third-year quarterback Dennis Dixon to start during Roethlisberger’s suspention.

Roethlisberger is a two-time Super Bowl winner and the highest-paid player in Steelers history with a $102 million contract. He also is being sued in a civil case by a Nevada hotel employee who has accused him of sexually assaulting her in 2008.

Roethlisberger did not talk with reporters after practicing with the Steelers on Monday and Tuesday with the Steelers.

-- Chuck Schilken

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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