Charlie Batch's season is officially over, as reported by Gerry Dulac at the Post-Gazette. The Steelers today made the much anticipated move of placing the veteran on Injured Reserve, and making Byron Leftwich the No. 2 quarterback behind Ben Roethlisberger. This could very well be the end of Batch's career in Pittsburgh.
Batch broke his collarbone in the teams first preseason game while attempting to salvage a busted play in the backfield.
Also, from the same Post-Gazette article, the Steelers will be releasing former third-round pick Willie Reid, as well as veteran return-man Eddie Drummond. Both players were competing for return duties on this years squad.
Reid, the teams second third-round pick during the 2006 draft, never panned out after having his rookie year completely wiped out by injuries.
Reid's exit pretty much guarantees Dallas Baker, a seventh-round pick in 2007, has made the final cuts. The return duties will now likely fall on some combination of Mewelde Moore, Santonio Holmes and Rashard Mendenhall. Or, for the masochists in the crowd, there's a good chance Ricardo Colclough will be available for another go-around (I'm kidding).
One final note from Dulac:
Well that's certainly interesting. Though, I think I speak for everyone when I say, good luck with that. Max Starks is on the hook for nearly $7 million this year and couldn't beat Willie Colon for a starting spot, while Sean Mahan spends more time in the backfield than some running backs.
As part of the process, the team is considering a trade that would involve one of their veteran backup offensive linemen -- tackle Max Starks, center Sean Mahan and tackle Trai Essex.
Getting something would be better than nothing, obviously, but if the Steelers end up with more than a conditional sixth-round pick I will personally throw Kevin Colbert a parade.
