Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers held QB Ben

Roethlisberger out of their first two preseason games, though mostly because Roethlisberger is entering his 13th NFL season and doesn’t need to risk injury for extra exhibition experience.

What the Steelers have seen in those two games is that they have a potentially big problem with their quarterback situation behind Roethlisberger. Backup QB

Landry Jones has struggled, veteran Bruce Gradkowski was injured early in the preseason after injury forced him to miss last season and the Steelers even lost fourth-stringer Dustin

Vaughan to a broken thumb in last week’s preseason game.

Jones has thrown one touchdown pass and four interceptions while taking nine sacks in his two preseason appearances. He’s entering the last year of his rookie contract and thus far has squandered a chance to play his way into the team’s plans.

The Steelers don’t know when Gradkowski’s hamstring will be healthy enough to allow him to return, so the team could be scanning the waiver wire or trade marker for veteran help soon if Jones doesn’t improve.

Rookie watch: Seventh-round LB Tyler Matakevich continues to impress with his work on special teams and figures to win a roster spot based on his ability to cover kicks and make open-field tackles. Noteworthy: The NFL and NFLPA reached a settlement that cut the suspension of RB Le’V

eon Bell for missed drug tests from four games to three. The Steelers get Bell back for their Oct. 2 game vs. the Kansas City Chiefs.