Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger ruled out vs. Patriots

ByJEREMY FOWLER
October 18, 2016, 12:30 PM

— -- Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has been officially ruled out of Sunday's game against the New England Patriots, coach Mike Tomlin announced Tuesday.

Tomlin won't speculate when Roethlisberger will return. Backup Landry Jones will get all the practice reps this week.

A source told ESPN that the Steelers are cautiously optimistic that Roethlisberger -- who had surgery for a torn meniscus in his left knee Monday -- can play Week 9 against the Baltimore Ravens. Pittsburgh is scheduled for a Week 8 bye.

Tomlin said Jones is a good communicator and is comfortable with the system in his fourth year.

"A shootout is not the type of game we're looking for," Tomlin said. "We have to work to possess the ball on offense."

Roethlisberger suffered the injury in the first half of Sunday's game against the Miami Dolphins. Jones played one full series in place of Roethlisberger, who returned to play the entire second half and finished 19-of-34 for 189 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.