RADIO
Ben Roethlisberger injuries are starting to occur as often as Sidney Crosby dives on the ice. Both are stars who have brought championships to Pittsburgh, one of which refuses to stay healthy. Injuries in general have plagued the Steelers thus far, but two injuries to Big Ben haven't exactly set them back in the standings, thanks largely in part to two relief appearances by third-string quarterback, Landry Jones.
The first came against the Arizona Cardinals after both Big Ben and Michael Vick were sidelined. Jones finished the game 8-12, with 168 yards, and two touchdowns, including an 88 yard bomb to Martavis Bryant. The second, Jones entered the game late but led a second-half comeback against the Oakland Raiders, consisting of a 55-yard pass to Antonio Brown. Jones showed more poise and composure. And then there was his sole start of the year against the Kansas City Chiefs.
He wasn’t terrible, finishing with 209 passing yards and a touchdown, but failed to secure the ball, throwing two picks, and failed to secure another win for the Steelers. It will be interesting to see the approach Pittsburgh takes against a Cleveland Browns team with the worst run defense in the league, giving up the fifth most fantasy points to running backs this season, according to Yahoo! Sports.
This makes you wonder how much of a role Jones will have, while the Steelers will likely put the ball in the hands of DeAngelo Williams and their run game. But the Browns haven’t stopped the passing game either, relinquishing 254 yards and 2.0 touchdowns per game, according to Yahoo! Sports. The matchup is most definitely there but should Landry Jones be trusted or even considered?
Is this an argument even worth having? Most of you are probably laughing right now, shaking your head, no freakin’ way, but there are other factors to consider in fantasy. Pending the duration of time Big Ben will miss, the Steelers must learn to rely on Landry Jones, and fantasy owners stuck in a bind, could learn to rely on him as well. Of course there seems to be at least 10 other options at quarterback worth looking at first, but with Antonio Brown running routes in front of you, Jones might be worth a second glance.
In no way is he QB1 material, but in 12-14 team leagues, those where two QB’s are started, or even in DFS to increase salary cap and bolster the rest of your team, Landry Jones is not the worst option. Monitor his progress the rest of the way. Injuries have seeped into plenty of fantasy lineups.
