Nov 8, 2015 3 min read

PITTSBURGH – Sunday should have been a joyous day for Ben Roethlisberger.

After all, the Steelers won, and he passed two guys, Johnny Unitas and Joe Montana, to move into 14th place on the NFL’s all-time passing yardage list.

Instead, Roethlisberger spent part of the evening being poked and prodded by doctors after he suffered a sprained left foot midway through the fourth quarter of Pittsburgh’s 38-35 victory over the Oakland Raiders at Heinz Field.

So much for the celebration.

Roethlisberger suffered the injury, ironically, on the only sack in a game in which there were 94 passing attempts.

With the Steelers (5-4) leading, 35-28, Roethlisberger dropped back to pass and was spun to the ground by Aldon Smith, who had beaten left tackle Alejandro Villanueva. As the two men crashed to the turf, Smith landed on Roethlisberger’s foot, pinning it to the ground.

Roethlisberger was helped to the sideline by teammates after team doctors attended to him on the field. After spending a couple of minutes on the bench, where doctors continued to assess the injury, Roethlisberger was taken from the field via a cart for the second time this season.

“It was one of those things where we were just trying to get him to the sideline, not pressing him on it,” said guard Ramon Foster, one of the players who helped Roethlisberger off the field. “I hope it’s nothing serious.”

Initial reports indicated Roethlisberger suffered only a mid-foot sprain that is expected to keep him out two to three weeks.

That’s good news considering the team hosts Cleveland next Sunday, then has its bye week before playing at Seattle Nov. 29.

It’s the second major injury for Roethlisberger this season. He suffered a sprained right knee Sept. 27 at St. Louis and missed the next four games.

Mike Vick initially replaced him after the injury against St. Louis, but he also was injured and gave way to Landry Jones in a win over Arizona Oct. 18. Jones started the next game, at Kansas City, and served as the No. 2 quarterback the past two weeks.

“This one was a little easier than when I first went in for the Cardinals,” said Jones, who completed 4 of 6 passes for 79 yards against Oakland. “I wasn’t as emotional as I was for the last time I went in. I was able to control myself a little better and the game seemed a little slower.”

Jones, a third-year player, had never dressed for a game before Roethlisberger’s injury against the Rams. Now, he’ll likely make his second career start against the Browns.

He threw for 209 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions in a loss to the Chiefs.

“Landry’s been in that situation where he’s produced,” said Foster. “I’m glad he’s gotten that experience. It’s paid off for us.”

In two relief appearances – against Arizona and Oakland – he’s led the Steelers on game-winning drives.

Perhaps he’s better suited as a closer?

“Something like that,” Jones said with a laugh. “I should sprint out there like (former Atlanta closer) John Rocker used to.”

The Steelers, who went 2-2 without Roethlisberger, now face the task of playing without their star quarterback again.

“I’m praying for Ben, but I’ll be ready if he can’t go,” said Jones. “We’ll try to keep things rolling.”