Steelers’ Jarvis Jones taken to hospital following loss to Chiefs
By Matt Shetler
The injuries never seem to quit for the Pittsburgh Steelers and they suffered another scare late in Saturday night’s preseason loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Rookie linebacker Jarvis Jones was taken to the hospital with a chest injury after being tackled following an interception in the fourth quarter of Pittsburgh’s 26-20 overtime loss.
Aug 24, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Jarvis Jones (95) runs the ball after a turnover against the Kansas City Chief in the second half at Heinz Field. The play was overturned and the Chiefs retained possession. The Chiefs won the game in overtime, 26-20. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports
Jones, the 17th overall pick in the draft, lay on the turf for several moments before walking to the sideline. He sat on the bench talking to quarterback Ben Roethlisberger before being placed on a stretcher and taken out of the stadium as a precaution.
His interception was nullified by a pass interference call on cornerback Josh Victorian.
Jones heading to the hospital is quite the scare for the Steelers as he has been in competition with Jason Worilds for the starting outside linebacker spot opposite LaMarr Woodley.
Jones did not start on Saturday and finished with three tackles.
It’s still unclear if Jones is going to beat out Worilds for the starting job, but one thing that is clear and that’s the fact that the rookie needs to be on the field as much as possible, as he has already shown glimpses of being the electric playmaker that this Steelers’ defense desperately needs.
Who knows how this injury will affect his status for the season opener September 8 vs. the Tennessee Titans?
When the injury occurred it didn’t seem too serious as Jones was listed as questionable to return. However that didn’t happen as he was put on a stretcher with IV’s in him and headed to the hospital.
The Steelers had big plans out of the gate for both Jones and fellow rookie Le’Veon Bell, but both are now banged up as Bell is out six to eight weeks with a foot injury.