Big Ben, Jones split reps at practice
PITTSBURGH — Ben Roethlisberger taped his knee, put on a brace and split reps with Landry Jones during Wednesday’s practice.
He may not have been Fran Tarkenton out there, but teammates said he looked good enough to at least make a difficult decision for Mike Tomlin about whether Roethlisberger can return Sunday for the Steelers in Kansas City.
“I think he looked good,” said Le’Veon Bell. “I mean, he looked good last week to me. He looks even better this week.”
“I thought he looked good,” said Ramon Foster. “I didn’t see much hiccup in his step, but my eyes are a lot different than coach Tomlin’s. I have a hopeful eye. Coach T has a realistic eye.”
After practice, Roethlisberger told reporters “I thought I threw the ball really well.”
Tomlin, of course, wasn’t available for comment, and nobody wanted to make a prediction on what the coach will decide. But Foster provided some paramaters.
“I guess he’s going to be waiting to see what happens Friday. That’s usually the day,” Foster said. “If you leave it up to Seven, he’s gonna go. That’s my opinion. Coach T will have to make that decision. though.”
Landry’s world turning
What a difference a couple of days have made for Jones, whom Foster called “the young superstar after two quarters.”
The judge for the kangaroo court, Foster warned that the young quarterback had better not change.
“Man, if he shaves and wears a suit to K.C., he’s going to be fined,” Foster said. “Stick with the flannel, Landry. Stick with what got you here. We knew you back when.”
It might be difficult for Jones, who was mobbed by reporters following Wednesday’s practice. At one point, in trying to accommodate every reporter’s question, he was literally spinning in circles.
“Yeah, it’s different for sure,” Jones said. “But it brings me kind of back to my days at Oklahoma. It’s an exciting opportunity.”
Has his life changed since rallying the Steelers past the Arizona Cardinals three days earlier?
“It’s just been a whirlwind,” Jones said. “I still haven’t gotten to sit down and actually think about what’s going on yet, you know? I feel like that’s a part of the National Football League. It’s just on to the next week.”
What will he wear to Kansas City?
“Ah,” he pondered, “I might wear a suit.”
Trickle down to Tyler
If Roethlisberger isn’t deemed healthy enough to start, he’s unlikely to dress and that means the backup quarterback could be Tyler Murphy, who’s currently a wide receiver on the team’s practice squad.
Murphy confirmed Wednesday that he quarterbacked the scout team in practice and said he’s ready for a promotion if needed.
“I feel comfortable with the offense,” said the rookie. “I’ve been doing all the receiver stuff, but mentally, from that standpoint, I haven’t really changed mindsets. I’m still trying to attack it as a quarterback because you benefit as a receiver that way as well.”
Murphy played quarterback at Florida and then Boston College before the Steelers signed him as a receiver. Murphy played quarterback throughout the spring and early in training camp, lined up to run some read-option plays during the preseason and has continued attending meetings with both the quarterback and receiver groups.
Before transferring to Boston College, Murphy spent three years at Florida before getting his chance when starter Jeff Driskel was injured during a game. Murphy stepped in and led Florida to a win over Tennessee.
“Yep. I’ve been put in that situation before,” Murphy said. “If that opportunity calls, I’ll be ready.”
Adams not ready
With Kelvin Beachum down and out, a player who might’ve helped the Steelers’ depth at tackle is Mike Adams, who’s played in 41 games the last three seasons.
Adams underwent back surgery on July 20 and Tomlin said on the first day of training camp that Adams “will be out approximately four weeks.”
But, Adams was placed on the PUP list and has yet to be activated. The Steelers still have three weeks to activate him or put him on season-ending Injured Reserve.
“I’m not really sure,” Adams said of his state of readiness. “We’re just more or less trying to get it right, not rush it, make sure everything’s good for the future when I come back.”
Adams deferred questions about his recovery to Tomlin, who said on Tuesday that he hadn’t even sought an update on Adams.
The Steelers on Monday signed Byron Stingily, older brother of camp running back Cameron Stingily, to add depth at tackle.
Stingily was drafted in the sixth round out of Louisville in 2011 by then-Tennessee coach Mike Munchak and played in 20 games with nine starts for the Titans the last four years. Stingily was signed to a two-year, $2.25 million contract last March, but the Titans cut him prior to the start of the season.
‘The Boz’ Player of Week
Steelers kicker Chris Boswell was named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week after making all four field goal attempts in his first career game at Heinz Field.
Boswell made kicks of 47, 48, 51 and 28 yards, as well as his line exta-point attempt, in the Steelers’ 25-13 win over the Arizona Cardinals. He became the first Steelers kicker since Shaun Suisham (10-20-13 vs. Baltimore) to make four field goals in a game.
Boswell is 5-for-5 on field goals and 4-for-4 on extra points in two games since he was signed to replace Josh Scobee.
Medical report
CB Will Gay, TE Matt Spaeth and OLB James Harrison were given Wednesday’s practice off. Out with injury were CB Antwon Blake (arm), SS Will Allen (ankle), DE Stephon Tuitt (knee) and Vick (hamstring).
Back at practice were first-round linebackers Jarvis Jones and Ryan Shazier. Jones missed the last game with a hip injury, while Shazier missed the last four games with a shoulder injury.
“Definitely hoping this is the week I can get back,” said Shazier who has been given a neck roll to help the injury.