PITTSBURGH -- Pittsburgh Steelers backup quarterback Landry Jones said he is prepared to play this week against the New England Patriots in case Ben Roethlisberger's knee surgery keeps him out of the lineup.
Le'Veon Bell hopes that means Jones is ready to fire the ball. The Steelers want a loose, confident Jones.
“If he has a pep in his step, I think Landry can strike it,” Bell said. “I think there was a point last year where he did feel [confident]. He came in striking … We know what Landry can do. He’s a lot more comfortable, a lot more confident. We don't want him too tense or thinking about too many things."
Roethlisberger underwent successful arthroscopic surgery Monday, the team announced. Roethlisberger tore his left meniscus in the second quarter of Sunday’s 30-15 loss to the Miami Dolphins.
Jones, who threw for 513 yards, three touchdowns and four interceptions in relief of Roethlisberger last year, told reporters he’s not counting Big Ben out to play this Sunday. Roethlisberger has played through injuries in the past, and he’s never missed more than four games in a season. But ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports Roethlisberger will miss the New England game.
In Jones’ last extended performance, he threw for 206 yards on 19-of-22 passing in the third preseason game against the Saints. Jones said he’s comfortable in weeks like this after four years in offensive coordinator Todd Haley’s system. He knows all the nuances of the offense, and the team didn’t change the game plan much in last year’s start at Kansas City, a 23-13 loss.
“The more you play, the more experience you get, the more confidence you get,” Jones said. “I’ll draw from that if things come to it. We’ll see how it all plays out during the week.”
A heavy dose of Bell could be in order. Bell says he isn’t one to lobby for carries, but he’ll gladly oblige if Haley calls his number 20 or more times.
Bell has averaged around 23 touches per game since entering the league in 2013, but he had just 10 rushes for 53 yards in Sunday’s loss to the Dolphins, one of the league’s worst rushing defenses.
Bell said the Steelers are at their best when featuring play-action and the running game. Bell has 440 total yards in three games, including 177 receiving yards.
“If we run the rock, I’m going to deal with it,” Bell said. “Sometimes, the offensive line likes running the ball. When they feel they want to dominate up front, I’m always ready … I’m not a guy who always complains or talks about getting carries. I just want to go out there and win the game.”
