Pittsburgh Steelers: Jarvis Jones expected to start vs. Bengals
By Matt Shetler
Pittsburgh Steelers first-round pick Jarvis Jones made a big impact on just his second NFL snap when he blew up a Tennessee Titans running play and laid a big hit on Titans’ running back Chris Johnson.
Unfortunately, only playing every third series, Jones didn’t get enough opportunities to make enough big plays like that one.
Sep 8, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Jarvis Jones (95) chases a fumbled ball against the Tennessee Titans during the third quarter at Heinz Field. The Tennessee Titans won 16-9. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
But things are about to change. According to the Post Gazette’s Gerry Dulac, Jones is in line to make his first NFL start Monday night against the Cincinnati Bengals.
It’s natural that the Steelers want to increase the number of snaps Jones gets; it’s also the natural thing to do to get him in the starting lineup ahead of Jason Worilds, who started Week 1.
Jones has been running with the first team this week in practice, which is a good sign that he will remain there.
"“That’s the way it is right now,” Jones said after practice Wednesday. “As long as I continue to keep doing what I’m doing, I hope it stays like that.”"
Worilds played 47 snaps against the Titans, Jones only got 26. In order for the rookie to really impact the game more, he has to be on the field more and that is something that Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin appears to have learned rather quickly.
You get the feeling that once Jones gets into the starting lineup, he’s not going to leave it for a very long time.
That could begin Monday night.