Game-day thread: Roethlisberger active, Jones to start
Ben Roethlisberger is active today for the Steelers but Landry Jones is expected to get the start against the Cleveland Browns.
Roethlisberger is available on an as-needed basis, ie. if Jones is injured or begins throwing interceptions all over the field.
Roethlisberger has obviously been cleared medically, but worked sparingly in practice on Thursday and Friday as the Steelers prepared Jones to make his second career start.
And the Steelers would like to give Roethlisberger’s sprained left foot another full week of healing before he begins practicing again to play at Seattle in two weeks. The Steelers have a bye next week and Mike Tomlin typically doesn’t have veterans practice a lot during the bye week.
Inactive for the Steelers are QB Mike Vick, safety Shamarko Thomas, running back Isaiah Pead, linebacker Terence Garvin, offensive tackle Byron Stingily, tight end Matt Spaeth and linebacker James Harrison.
As expected, with Josh McCown down for the Browns, Johnny Manziel will get the start. Also out for Cleveland are corners Joe Haden and Justin Gilbert, safety Donte Whitner, guard Joel Bitonio, receiver Dwayne Bowe and tight end E.J. Bibbs.
With Haden and Whitner out, the Browns will be without arguably their two best defensive players.