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Steelers Sign Leftwich As Backup QB

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Aug 11, 2008 7:22 am US/Eastern

Steelers Sign Leftwich As Backup QB

LATROBE (KDKA/AP) ― The Steelers have signed quarterback Byron Leftwich as the back up for Ben Roethlisberger following Charlie Batch's injury Friday night.

The Steelers brought in both Leftwich and Daunte Culpepper but decided to sign Leftwich.

He is expected to start practicing with the team today at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe.

The Steelers were in the market for a backup to Ben Roethlisberger after veteran Charlie Batch broke his right collarbone in Friday nights 16-10 preseason victory over the Philadelphia Eagles at Heinz Field.

Batch, who is to have surgery today, is expected to miss four to six weeks.

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said Leftwich, who has started 46 career games for Jacksonville and Atlanta, may not be released when Batch returns.

"Were just going to let the play talk," Tomlin said. "You know how we do it. Were going to evaluate what we see based on performance."

Leftwich was released by Atlanta in February and has played in just nine games in the past two seasons because of ankle injuries.

A first-round pick of Jacksonville in 2003, he saw action in 15 games that season, making 13 starts.

He missed two games in 2004 and five in 2005 with injuries.

A serious ankle injury in 2006 limited him to just six games, opening the door for backup David Garrard to get a 10-game audition and win the starting job.

Leftwich was released at the end of training camp last year and signed with Atlanta.

The Steelers also signed veteran punter Mitch Berger on Sunday to compete with Paul Ernster.

Daniel Sepulveda, a fourth-round draft pick in 2007, tore an anterior cruciate ligament.

The 35-year-old Berger is a 12-year veteran with a career average of 43.1 yards on five different teams, including Arizona in 2007.

The Steelers also activated Pro Bowl nose tackle Casey Hampton from the physically unable to perform list, where he had been since failing his conditioning test July 27.

To make room for Leftwich and Berger on the roster, the team waived wide receiver Gerran Walker and linebacker Anthony Trucks.

Stay with KDKA for more information.

(© 2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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