Steelers Planning on Landry Jones Starting at Quarterback
The Pittsburgh Steelers continue life without Ben Roethlisberger their star quarterback. This week the Steelers will face the Kansas City Chiefs on the road at Arrowhead Stadium.
The Steelers are coming off a win last week over the Arizona Cardinals 25-13 to push their record to 4-2, which is good enough for second place in the AFC North behind undefeated Cincinnati at 6-0.
Roethlisberger went down with a ligament strain on September 27 and last week his backup Michael Vick strained his hamstring.
Pittsburgh is therefore practicing this week as if Landry Jones will be their starting quarterback on Sunday. Jones filled in for Vick last week and completed 8 of his 12 passes for 168 yards with two touchdowns. Jones since being drafted in 2013 out of Oklahoma has been the Pittsburgh third string quarterback.
Without Roethlisberger, the Steelers are 2-1, but Vick has been struggling before being injured.
Many are likely asking themselves and others just who Landry Jones is.
Jones was a legend in New Mexico sports. He was the No. 6 ranked quarterback his senior year in high school. His senior year he threw for 3,433 yards and 45 touchdowns.
He is married to a former Oklahoma women’s hoops start Whitney Hand. The couple have been married three years and one of his wife’s former teammates is Roethlisberger’s sister Carlee.
Since being drafted in the fourth round in 2013, Jones has endured two seasons of not playing football and has not been able to determine the style of quarterback he wants to be.
On Sunday he showed his was good and quick decision maker who made the plays when they presented themselves and showed his coaches and teammates he has the stuff after being on the sideline with clipboard in hand for two seasons.
In all likelihood, Vick will not play on Sunday and Jones will get his first NFL start. The pressure will be heavy on his shoulders as not much was expected of him entering the game last week for the injured Vick, but on Sunday, fans and coaches will be expecting Jones to lead the team to victory over the Chiefs.
Roethlisberger is expected to split some of the first team reps in practice this week with Jones, while Vick is having his hamstring worked on.
It is not known if Roethlisberger will be ready to play as he will not take part in any football plays until Wednesday at which time he will see where he stands with his knee.
The Steelers might take a chance and hold their star quarterback out another week to not risk injury, as the team has a big showdown on November 1 with AFC North leaders Cincinnati.
