Steelers win meaningless game vs. Panthers, lose meaningful QB Leftwich

[SCMom]

By NFL.com Wire Reports

All of a sudden, losing Ben Roethlisberger for at least a month isn't the Pittsburgh Steelers' only quarterback concern.

Byron Leftwich, expected to be the Steelers' fill-in starter while Roethlisberger is suspended, injured his left knee Thursday night and appears to be out indefinitely.

Leftwich, tuning up for his anticipated Sept. 12 start against the Atlanta Falcons, sprained the knee during the second quarter of the Steelers' 19-3 preseason-ending victory over the visiting Carolina Panthers. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said Leftwich would undergo an MRI on Friday, but a league source told NFL Network insider Michael Lombardi there are concerns about serious damage to the quarterback's medial collateral ligament.

Pro Players Solutions, which claims to be affiliated with Leftwich, tweeted that the quarterback tore his MCL. That most likely would end his season.

Leftwich's teammates certainly sounded discouraged after the 19-3 victory. Backup quarterback Charlie Batch called it a "serious" injury, and Dennis Dixon -- now the likely starter in Pittsburgh's season opener -- said he couldn't talk to Leftwich because doctors were so intensely working on the knee.

"It's an opportunity, I guess, but it's unfortunate for Byron for what he went through," said Dixon, who has started only one NFL game. "But this team has to continue to go forward. I know once he's going to come back, he's going to give us nothing but tremendous support."

More here...http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/201009...cap/full-story

[tony hipchest]

this really sucks.

regardless of which side you are on with the "dixon vs leftwhich for starter" argument, he is a great team mate, consumate pro, and all around good guy.

by all means he had earned the rights to back up roethlisberger. fortunately for the steelers, dixon has done no less.

My concern now, and it really isn't that far-fetched, is what if Dixon gets injured? We know Batch can't last more than a quarter.

[tony hipchest]

Originally Posted by Wallace108

My concern now, and it really isn't that far-fetched, is what if Dixon gets injured? We know Batch can't last more than a quarter.

some of the logic i've heard so far says that batch is the most qualified to be a starter, because he is a vet who needs no reps to get ready.

in that case we are in the most excellent shape with randle-el!

[mikegrimey]

Originally Posted by tony hipchest

some of the logic i've heard so far says that batch is the most qualified to be a starter, because he is a vet who needs no reps to get ready.

in that case we are in the most excellent shape with randle-el!

While it's certainly a rational point that Batch does have a history of injury comparing his readiness to play to Randle-El's isn't.
Batch has played numerous games and has come off the bench before, it wouldn't be virgin territory for him. From what we've seen of Dixon he still has a lot of problems to iron out.

Quite honestly, I wouldn't have a problem with Batch starting. But just make sure Dixon is warming up early in case someone breathes too heavily on him and Batch breaks or tears something ...

[tony hipchest]

Originally Posted by mikegrimey

While it's certainly a rational point that Batch does have a history of injury comparing his readiness to play to Randle-El's isn't.
.

exactly!

im glad somebody gets the absurdity!

so when was the lat time batch actually started a game? i think it was 2005.

the last time he started more than 3 in a row? what was it.. like 8 years ago?

regardless, we have 4 qb's on the roster and may be down to 2.

i would say we are more than lucky to have batch and dixon, as opposed to any other team's 3rd stringer.

as unfortunate as the situation is, it is a "good" problem to have, considering the circumstances.

im not gonna hit the panic button yet.

[mikegrimey]

Yea there's no cause to panic. It's not Byron has ever played at a pro-bowl level. We're mostly going to need whoever is playing QB to avoid the bad mistakes (like INTS especially redzone INTS). The defense and running game are going to need to play hard. We may resemble a Cowher-style team for the first few games.

[SoCalFan]

We WILL pick up a new QB to fill the 4th,or3rd for now spot,any guesses?Whos available???