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Get Scouted Scouting CareersFormer National Scouting Report football prospect Landry Jones, backup quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers, is expected to make his first start of the season Sunday against Tom Brady and the visiting New England Patriots.
Jones, a four-year NFL veteran, likely will start in place of veteran Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who underwent successful arthroscopic surgery Monday morning after suffering a slightly torn meniscus in Sunday’s surprising 30-15 loss to the host Miami Dolphins.
A four-time Pro Bowler and two-time Super Bowl champion, Roethlisberger injured his left knee midway through the second quarter after escaping a tackle by Dolphins defensive lineman Jordan Phillips, maintaining his balance and throwing an interception. Roethlisberger, who limped off the field and into the locker room, was replaced by Jones late in the second quarter. After team doctors assured him he could do no further damage to the knee, Roethlisberger returned to the field in the second half and played the rest of the game.
“Though we do not know a specific timetable for when he will be able to return to the field,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said in a statement Monday, “we are confident this injury is not long-term.”
A fourth-round draft pick out of the University of Oklahoma in 2013, Jones is expected to make only his third career start Sunday. He would be backed up by third-string quarterback Zach Mettenberger. The Steelers have a bye the following week before visiting the Baltimore Ravens on Nov. 6.
Jones, 27, appeared in seven games last season, including two starts after Roethlisberger was sidelined for a month with an MCL sprain and backup quarterback Mike Vick sustained a hamstring injury. He completed 32-of-55 passes (58.2 percent) for 513 yards, 3 touchdowns and 4 interceptions.
NSR scouts discovered Jones in 2005. During his sophomore year at Artesia High School in New Mexico, Jones evolved into one of the top high school quarterbacks in the country. In his three years as a starter, he passed for 7,013 yards and 89 touchdowns, leading Artesia to back-to-back Class 4A state championships in 2006 and 2007. In his senior year, the Class 4A Player of the Year threw for 3,433 yards and 45 touchdowns, including 325 yards and a school-record seven TDs in the state championship game.
Ranked among the top pro-style high school quarterbacks in the country, Jones was considered New Mexico’s best college prospect since 10-year NFL defensive lineman Alan Branch in 2004. He was recruited by dozens of major colleges, including Oregon, Stanford, UCLA, Wisconsin, Colorado and Virginia, before ultimately signing with Oklahoma.
After being redshirted his first year, Jones took over as starting quarterback midway through his redshirt freshman season after starting quarterback Sam Bradford suffered a season-ending shoulder injury and bolted for the NFL.
From 2009-12, Jones passed for 16,646 yards and 123 touchdowns, leading the Sooners to two Big 12 championships and three bowl victories.
National Scouting Report is dedicated to finding scholarship opportunities for athletes who possess the talent, desire, and motivation to compete at the collegiate level. We’ve helped connect thousands of athletes with their perfect college.