Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's suspension has been reduced from six games to four by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.

Roethlisberger met with Goodell on Friday and was told he could return on Oct. 17 against the Cleveland Browns.

When Roethlisberger was suspended in April for violating the league's personal conduct policy, Goodell said 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.

Roethlisberger was accused of sexually assaulting a Georgia college student following a night of drinking in a Milledgeville, Ga., bar on March 5. He was not charged by Georgia authorities, although the district attorney in that county was critical of Roethlisberger's behavior that night.

Former Steelers quarterback Terry Bradshaw said in Shreveport this week that he hoped the commission would not lessen Roethlisberger's suspension.

"I pray they don't cut it to four games, I hope they leave it at six," Bradshaw told reporters at the AdvoCare V-100 kickoff luncheon. "There's no excuse for that. What happens is, these guys -- their egos get out of hand."

Bradshaw, a Shreveport native who led the Steelers to four Super Bowl championships during his career, has been at odds with Roethlisberger. He said the star quarterback had refused to listen to his advice on how to act in public.