PITTSBURGH (AP) The Pittsburgh Steelers usually are operating outside of quarterbacks with healthful ribs.
A human being informed about the injuries informed The Associated Press quarterback wounded his ribs from the first 1 / 4 with Sunday night's 13-10 deprivation for the Baltimore Ravens all of which certainly not get started in the future with Cleveland. The person spoken with problem regarding anonymity because of the company hadn't technically commented on Leftwich's status.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette first reported this decision.
Leftwich will be the next Pittsburgh quarterback inside countless months to search down. Starter Ben Roethlisberger is out with friends indefinitely following spraining his appropriate neck and dislocating his or her earliest rib in a very 16-13 overtime victory from the Kansas City Chiefs last Monday.
The Steelers (6-4) could most likely turn to be able to 37-year-old back-up Charlie Batch from the Browns (2-8). Batch is definitely 5-2 while seeing that a alternative beginner within the previous decade, including a 27-0 succeed more than St. Louis last December.
Making his or her first start within three years, Leftwich completed 18 with 39 subsides with regard to 201 yards and a good interception. He additionally ran for your 31- yard touchdown within the first quarter, a have fun with which broken with Leftwich clutching his chest.
The 32-year-old Leftwich stayed at the tables however took a beating, obtaining sacked 3 times in addition to drilled a handful of others. He made an appearance with evident pain on a few functions along with had his ribs examined simply by team healthcare staff from the fourth fraction even though Batch started around the sideline.
Leftwich didn't skip a snap nevertheless labored tossing the particular ball. The original first spherical choose includes among the list of best arms within the NFL but ended up being short on various moves to help wide-open receivers while in the second one half since Pittsburgh's four-game earning talent came in order to a halt.
Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin downplayed virtually any dissatisfaction in Leftwich's play, stating he idea Leftwich appeared to be ''great'' over a evening this Steelers noted their lowest stage total at your home seeing that a new 3-0 victory covering the Dolphins inside the midst of an torrential water hurricane personal trainer ages ago.
''He endured a few hits, nevertheless that's football,'' Tomlin said, ''particularly if you're talking about this matchup.''
Leftwich, who wouldn't take off their homogeneous right up until once reporters acquired still left that locker room, had been more centered about the offense's sloping perform in comparison with his physical condition.
The Ravens did over present on their own a great two-game safety net over Pittsburgh (6-4) with 6 months time days remaining in the season, additionally , they exposed the Steelers' flaws along with Roethlisberger sidelined indefinitely with make in addition to rib injuries.
Even worse, this Steelers converted only 5 connected with 17 (30 percent) third-down opportunities, well off their 49-percent conversion quote by using Roethlisberger.
''We merely certainly not could put two, three, four, five, six performs together,'' Leftwich said. ''We would likely produce major participate in then i was suitable back again in order to third-and-9, third-and-8 . You've simply just obtained be greater on first plus second down.''
The seventh general decide on by Jacksonville with 2003 has been slow in creating to stay nutritious over the years. He sat out and about every one of past period after busting his or her left tricep / bicep within the preseason and appeared to be restricted to just a single adventure truly due to your knee injury.
Now it really is Batch's turn and keep Pittsburgh's postseason probability afloat. He exhausted out there Jerrod Johnson intended for the particular team's third quarterback position with training camping and while he or she lacks your supply power regarding Leftwich and Roethlisberger, his accuracy and reliability plus speedy release ought to assist the pup in unpleasant coordinator Todd Haley's short-passing attack.
Batch started briefly about the sideline after Leftwich procured a blindside reach from Baltimore safety James Ihedigbo midway from the next 1 / 4 about Sunday. Batch very last gamed inside a shutout success covering the Rams continue Christmas Eve, handing in 15 associated with 22 moves for 208 meters and an interception as being the Steelers cruised.
''Charlie's a great quarterback, plus he is furthermore happen to be while in the league for a while now,'' Pittsburgh cornerback Keenan Lewis said. ''He is aware the criminal offense inverted (inside out), thus when we will need to rely on Charlie, we find out he or she could get throughout generally there along with earn games.''
The Steelers must bring in a different quarterback when insurance. They permit Johnson go towards the end involving camping and also published 2006 Heisman Trophy success Troy Smith subsequent a brief stint with the crew in the spring.
A rematch with the Ravens looms within two weeks, while Pittsburgh's hopes connected with hooking the particular Ravens with the AFC North title possess most of but evaporated. The Steelers would most likely should acquire in Baltimore - wherever these are just simply 2-7 while in the continue nine meetings - and also have your Ravens stumble towards finish for you to coordinator a playoff game.
It's some sort of view that Steelers cling to, one that looks like as a minimum remotely credible in the event the security can keep on that will thrive. While Baltimore was hectic unwanted Leftwich, Pittsburgh has been accomplishing exactly the same in order to Baltimore quarterback Joe Flacco.
The Ravens maintained some sort of season-low 2 hundred yards of whole crime as being the Steelers turn lower working backside Ray Rice - twenty carries for 40 yards - without let speedy extensive receiver Torrey Smith for getting loose.
''We knew so it has been intending becoming a preserving adventure coming in,'' linebacker Larry Foote said. ''It ordinarily is. We mixed up a lot of blitzes along with zone. Our returning end would a great job.''
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