JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Ben Roethlisberger threw a 44-yard touchdown pass to Martavis Bryant on the opening drive, and the Pittsburgh Steelers were much more proficient in their second preseason game, a 23-21 loss at Jacksonville on Saturday night.
The Jaguars (1-0) were the real losers, though. Tight end Julius Thomas injured a finger on his left hand on the team's second play and did not return.
The Steelers (0-2) managed just three points and 191 yards in a 14-3 loss to Minnesota in the Hall of Fame game last Sunday. Roethlisberger, running back Le'Veon Bell, receiver Antonio Brown and several other starters sat out. The trio came up big in just six plays of work against the Jaguars.
Roethlisberger completed all three passes for 59 yards, including a perfectly lobbed deep ball to Bryant on third down. Bell carried twice for 18 yards. And Brown caught the only ball throw in his direction.
Copyright 2015 by The Associated Press