The defending champion Pittsburgh Steelers are in a very tough spot at quarterback.
Not only is starter Ben Roethlisberger recovering from a blow to the head in Sunday's overtime loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, but ESPN's Adam Schefter is reporting backup quarterback Charlie Batch will miss the next six weeks with a wrist injury.
That leaves third-stringer Dennis Dixon as the only healthy quarterback currently on Pittsburgh's roster leading into a huge AFC North showdown with the Baltimore Ravens (5-5). Batch reportedly will undergo surgery and miss the rest of the regular season, while Roethlisberger's status is up in the air as he receives further testing.
Pittsburgh could scan the waiver wires to add a healthy body, but there is no chance that player will start against the Ravens. The choices for the Steelers are either Dixon or an ailing Roethlisberger for next week.
Injuries have suddenly put the defending champion's playoffs hopes in jeopardy. Pittsburgh (6-4) currently holds one of the two wild-card spots in the AFC. But ailments to Troy Polamalu, Aaron Smith, Roethlisberger and now Batch could lead to the team's first three-game losing streak of the season.
Not only is starter Ben Roethlisberger recovering from a blow to the head in Sunday's overtime loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, but ESPN's Adam Schefter is reporting backup quarterback Charlie Batch will miss the next six weeks with a wrist injury.
That leaves third-stringer Dennis Dixon as the only healthy quarterback currently on Pittsburgh's roster leading into a huge AFC North showdown with the Baltimore Ravens (5-5). Batch reportedly will undergo surgery and miss the rest of the regular season, while Roethlisberger's status is up in the air as he receives further testing.
Pittsburgh could scan the waiver wires to add a healthy body, but there is no chance that player will start against the Ravens. The choices for the Steelers are either Dixon or an ailing Roethlisberger for next week.
Injuries have suddenly put the defending champion's playoffs hopes in jeopardy. Pittsburgh (6-4) currently holds one of the two wild-card spots in the AFC. But ailments to Troy Polamalu, Aaron Smith, Roethlisberger and now Batch could lead to the team's first three-game losing streak of the season.
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ABOUT THIS BLOG
James Walker
Walker joined ESPN.com in 2008 after three seasons covering the Cleveland Browns for the Columbus Dispatch. He also covered the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Cavaliers at the Dispatch. Walker grew up in Hyattsville, Md., before attending Temple University, graduating in 2001 with a B.A. in communications and mass media. He resides in the Cleveland area.
