Roethlisberger

NEW YORK — Ben Roethlisberger is getting time off for good behavior.

He'll be back on the field for the Pittsburgh Steelers two games earlier than expected after convincing NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell he is turning his life around.

The star quarterback, accompanied by team president Art Rooney, met with Goodell early Friday and was told he could return Oct. 17 against Cleveland after missing four games.

He was suspended in April for six games for violating the league's personal conduct policy, but Goodell said at the time he would review the player's behavior over the next few months. Goodell was satisfied that Roethlisberger has followed the league's guidelines and stayed out of trouble.

"You have told me and the Steelers that you are committed to making better decisions," Goodell said in a letter to the two-time Super Bowl winner. "Your actions over the past several months have been consistent with that promise and you must continue to honor that commitment."

Roethlisberger was accused of sexually assaulting a college student following a night of drinking in a Milledgeville, Ga., bar March 5. He was not charged by Georgia authorities.

The league said the "reinstatement is contingent on Roethlisberger continuing to adhere to the program established by our advisers and avoiding any further violations of the personal conduct policy."

Roethlisberger is the first player suspended by Goodell under the NFL's personal conduct policy who was not arrested, charged with or convicted of a crime. However, Goodell said in April the policy allows him to impose such a penalty when the league's integrity and reputation are at stake.

"I have learned a lot over the past several months about myself as a person," Roethlisberger said in a statement. "I am committed to continuing on this path of being the type of person my family raised me to be, and exceeding what is expected of me as the quarterback of the Pittsburgh Steelers."

"Ben has done a good job this summer of growing as the person that he needs to be, both on and off the field," Rooney said. "I am confident that Ben is committed to continuing in this positive direction."

While he is out, Roethlisberger can't practice with the Steelers, nor can he attend games or represent the team in any way, or have contact with any member of the coaching staff or football operations personnel.

Roethlisberger will be eligible to return to practice Oct. 4 and play against Cleveland Oct. 17 after Pittsburgh's bye week.

Roethlisberger plans to work with a California-based quarterbacks coach, George Whitfield, and he'll throw to some free-agent receivers who are looking for work in the league.