If there is anyone who is qualified to give an NFL quarterback advice on how to deal with an elbow injury, it’s legendary San Francisco 49ers quarterback and Hall of Famer Joe Montana.

Back in 1991, Montana had surgery to repair a torn elbow tendon. Ultimately, that injury ended Montana’s time in San Francisco. He missed the entire ’91 season and all but one regular season game of the 1992 season. During that period, Steve Young took over and never looked back as 49ers quarterback.

Late last week, Montana was asked about Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger’s season-ending elbow injury suffered against Seattle last Sunday:

”The technology is so advanced these days, they can probably fix it to where it’s better than before. I don’t know the extent of his specific injury, but as long as he rehabs it, takes a serious approach to rehab, he’ll be fine. He’s not a spring chicken, but if he stays with it and nothing happens that would cause a setback, he should be OK.”

Montana took to Twitter to deny that he is actually giving Roethlisberger advice on how to deal with the potentially career-threatening injury.

Considering Montana’s injury history and ability to bounce back before the days of sports medicine were significantly advanced, there really isn’t a blueprint that players could follow related to Cool Joe’s injury history.

One thing is for sure about Montana’s original comments to USA Today; At 37 years old, Big Ben is far closer to the end than the beginning of his career. A comeback at his age is possible but it will not be easy.