Pittsburgh’s injury report for the Steelers AFC Divisional Playoff game against the Denver Broncos offered a mixed bag. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will attempt to practice, but Mike Tomlin indicated Landry Jones will get extensive work in practice.
Antonio Brown remains in the NFL’s concussion protocols with a sharp contrast between local and national reports as to the likelihood of him playing. Running back DeAngelo Williams has been described as “On the outside looking in,” meaning that Fitzgerald Toussaint and Jordan Todman would again have to carry the Steelers running game.
- No NFL team wants to head to a playoff game with its top three offensive stars on the injury list.
But fortunately the Steelers have the luxury of knowing that some of their heavy hitters may not be able to go so they can plan ahead. As he’s indicated, Mike Tomlin’s contingency plans are already underway, but it says here that Mike Tomlin and Todd Haley might be wise to expand their thinking.
Should Landry Jones Enter Denver Game as QB Number 2?
Most observers expect Ben Roethlisberger to start for the Steelers in the playoffs against the Broncos.
In his video following Mike Tomlin’s press conference, Ed Bouchette all but alluded to Ben Roethlisberger’s history as a drama queen. Dale Lolley advised his readers that when Ben talks about an injury, as he’s doing now, he usually plays. But the Steelers are wise to prepare an understudy, as no one knows how effective Ben will be.
- The question is, should Landry Jones be Steelers QB number 2 against the Broncos?
Prior to Pittsburgh’s playoff win over the Bengals, Landry Jones had been one of the more pleasant surprises of the Steelers 2015 season. The Steelers gave not one, but three other quarterbacks the chance to unseat him from the 3rd slot on the depth chart, and Jones fought them off.
When injuries forced him into the game against Arizona, it was Landry Jones to the rescue. While Jones did not play particularly well in his lone start vs. the Chiefs, he also closed out a competitive game vs. the Raiders.
- Unfortunately, Jones was completely ineffective vs. the Bengals in the playoffs.
In his press conference, Mike Tomlin admitted that Landry Jones must improve if he plays vs. Denver, and indicated that extra preparation should help.
Fair enough. Mike Tomlin, Todd Haley and Randy Fichtner know a little more about preparing quarterbacks for games than I do the Steelers coaches would do well to remember that they do have another quarterback on their roster with playoff experience. His name is Michael Vick
Michael Vick Playoff Experience Means He Deserves a Second Look
If memory serves, it was Hines Ward who once said comparing the intensity to an NFL playoff game to an NFL regular season game is like comparing regular season to preseason. Indeed, the NFL playoffs seve as a crucible that separates the average from the good and the good from the truly great. Legendary Steelers linebacker Greg Lloyd holds cult hero status here on Steel Curtain Rising, but what were his signature playoff moments?
- Bruce Gradkowski is no superstar, but the Steelers offense didn’t miss a beat when he went in for a few snaps in the Steelers 2014 playoff loss to the Ravens.
It is true that, save for a phenomenal 4th quarter vs. the Chargers, Mike Vick struggled as a starter. And while Steelers beat reporters cannot share what they see in practice, they’ve all but confirmed that Vick has struggled in practice. Fair enough.
- But Mike Vick has six playoff starts and two playoff wins under his belt.
Vick’s playoff passer rating just a shade below his career passer rating and is below his rating for the Steelers this year. But Vick has started four playoff games on the road, and won in hostile environs such as Lambeau Field. Mike Vick has been tested by the NFL’s playoff crucible.
At this point, Landry Jones is almost certainly in the Steelers plans for 2016 and perhaps beyond. Given that, and given the positives from him earlier in the year, Mike Tomlin is wise to name him his QB number 2 for the divisional show down vs. Denver.
But if Roethlisberger can’t play and Jones falters, Tomlin should make sure that Michael Vick is ready to step in.
Other Steelers Injury Updates Prior to Denver Game
Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown and DeAngelo Williams are not the only names on the Pittsburgh Steelers injury report heading into the playoff game Denver.
Fullback Will Johnson (hamstring), inside linebacker Vince Williams (hamstring) and safety Robert Golden (shoulder) are on the injured list but expected to play vs. the Broncos.
Mike vick should start vs Denver broncos he’s a legend, just because he’s not doing that well in practice doesn’t mean he’s not in the NFL, it’s only practice it’s not game time… remembering vick was the comeback player of the year at a point of time !! Voted the most dominant player in madden at one point of time also ,I think he will get the job done !! I’m not taking away from Landry Jones but vick has won 2 playoffs in his career as a starter and a NFL player just my opinion… may the best man Win and let it be about the love of the game and have fun and remember the teammates that’s playing with… if the offensive line holds up we should do good with Vick or Landry! !
Alphonso,
Thanks for commenting and contributing to the discussion here. Honestly, I’m 100% comfortable with Mike Tomlin and Todd Haley deciding who should play if Roethlisberger either can’t go or must come out.
However, a backup quarterback’s job isn’t to be equal to the starter — that doesn’t make sense because if he could do that, he’d be starting elsewhere — but his first priority is to not lose the game. (See Gradkowski last year in the playoffs.)
Landry Jones almost cost us the game.
IT may be that that magic 4th quarter against the Chargers was all the quality football that Mike Vick had left to give, but I still say that the Steelers need to have him ready.
Thanks again for commenting. We hope to have you back here on the site.