Pittsburgh, PA – Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said Charlie Batch will be the starting quarterback for Sunday's game against Cleveland with Ben Roethlisberger and Byron Leftwich both injured.
Batch will be the team's third different starter in three weeks. Roethlisberger is expected to miss his second straight game because of rib and shoulder injuries, while his replacement, Leftwich, suffered a rib fracture during this past Sunday's game against Baltimore.
Tomlin said Roethlisberger underwent tests on Tuesday and would be classified as doubtful for Sunday's game, then added that Leftwich will not play.
"All things are positive," Tomlin said about Roethlisberger's test results, "and we're encouraged about his status."
Tomlin said the team worked out quarterbacks Brian Hoyer and Mike Kafka. The team then signed Hoyer later Tuesday.
Batch, though, will start. He returned to the Steelers this offseason with a one-year contract and has been with the club since 2002 after playing his first four seasons in Detroit.
The 37-year-old veteran last started a game in Week 16 last season, throwing for 208 yards with an interception on 15-of-22 passing in a 27-0 win over St. Louis.
"Charlie's going to get the significant number of snaps in practice this week," Tomlin indicated. "We're excited about him preparing and leading us this week."
Tomlin said safety Troy Polamalu will resume running Wednesday as he continues to recover from a calf injury, while running back Isaac Redman is battling a concussion but is "doing well in testing."
The Steelers also signed wide receiver Plaxico Burress on Tuesday after learning Jerricho Cotchery suffered multiple rib fractures against the Ravens and won't play Sunday.
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