Banged-up Steelers ready for Chiefs
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Steelers and Chiefs have both dealt with a crippling number of injuries this season, whether it was Pittsburgh losing quarterbacks Ben Roethlisberger and Michael Vick or Kansas City losing Jamaal Charles for the season.
The big difference? Pittsburgh has pressed on. Kansas City has shriveled up.
The Steelers head to Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday in search of their third straight win, and their fifth victory in sixth games. Third-string quarterback Landry Jones is expected to get his first start, and a plethora of other backups are also expected to play significant minutes.
Meanwhile, the Chiefs are trying to end a maddening five-game skid lowlighted by last-minute losses to Denver and Chicago, and a horrid offensive performance last week in Minnesota.
“We are extremely fragile. We acknowledge that,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. “We aren’t looking for comfort.
“We aren’t looking to make excuses. Just in the state of where we are, we are going ... to make necessary adjustments to put ourselves in position to win.”
The Steelers (4-2) have so far been able to do just that.
Roethlisberger has been practicing but is still unlikely to play as he recovers from a knee injury, and Vick is sidelined by a hamstring injury. But in their place a week ago, Jones threw for 168 yards and two touchdowns in leading Pittsburgh to a 25-13 win over Arizona.
It was precisely the kind of gritty performance that has become a Steelers hallmark.
“That was really exciting. Not only for us but for Landry,” Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown said. “He showed amazing growth, amazing poise.”
Especially considering everybody he was missing. Offensive tackle Kelvin Beachum is out for the season with a knee injury, center Maurkice Pouncey has a broken leg, wide receiver Martavis Bryant has been dealing with a knee injury, offensive tackle Mike Adams an ailing back.
