PITTSBURGH (AP) — Landry Jones had his first regular-season NFL action last week.
Now, it looks as if he will make his first start this week.
Coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday that his team will prepare for Sunday’s game against the Chiefs at Kansas City as if Jones will be the starting quarterback.
Starter Ben Roethlisberger has been out since spraining the medical collateral ligament in his left knee Sept. 27 in a win over the Rams at St. Louis.
Backup Mike Vick suffered a strained right hamstring in last Sunday’s 25-13 victory over the Arizona Cardinals.
“I think it’s prudent and appropriate right now to operate under the assumption that Landry is our quarterback this week,” Tomlin said. “He is the guy that’s healthy.”
Jones had been the third-string quarterback since being drafted in the fourth round in 2013. He played well against the Cardinals, completing 8 of 12 passes for 168 yards and two touchdowns.
“We were not shocked by his performance, but we were pleased by it,” Tomlin said.
The Steelers (4-2) have gone 2-1 without Roethlisberger. However, Vick has struggled, completing 40 of 66 passes for 371 yards with two touchdowns and one interception.