PITTSBURGH — Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger entered Sunday’s game against the Browns on the third series after starter Landry Jones limped off the field with a left ankle injury.
Roethlisberger, the team’s regular starter, was not expected to play because of a midfoot sprain suffered last week.
But as soon as Jones went down after a third-down pass in the red zone, Roethlisberger jogged to the sideline, grabbed a football and started warming up. He put on his helmet shortly after and took the field with 8 minutes, 6 seconds in the first quarter. The Heinz Field crowd roared.
Roethlisberger completed 22 of 33 passes for 379 yards and three touchdowns as the Steelers improved to 6-4 with a 30-9 victory.
Roethlisberger had 286 passing yards in the first half against the Browns, the second-most in any first half in his career. He had 320 pass yards in the first half in Week 8 last season against the Indianapolis Colts.
Jones got injured when right tackle Marcus Gilbert fell back into his legs on a passing attempt. Jones, who is 3-of-4 for 23 yards, is listed as questionable to return.
There’s no backup for Roethlisberger now. Mike Vick is inactive, and fourth-stringer Tyler Murphy is on the practice squad.
The emergency backup quarterback is tight end Heath Miller, according to the Steelers.
ESPN Stats & Information contributed to this report.
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