Leftwich Has Broken Ribs; Batch Likely to Step in Sunday in Cleveland at QB

Next up – Charlie Batch.

That appears to be the call for the Steelers next game Sunday as the Steelers get set to try and get to 7-4 when they battle the 2-8 Browns in Cleveland.

Byron Leftwich, who started the Steelers tough 13-10 loss to the Ravens Sunday night, suffered fractured ribs during the contest when he fell into the end zone during the only Steelers TD of the night.

So now the team will likely turn to Batch, who stated a pair of the first four Steelers games back in 2010 when Ben Roethlisberger started the season on the suspension list from the league, beating the Bucs and losing to the Ravens at home.

The 37-year-old started the Christmas Eve game last season vs the Rams, a game the Steelers D pitched a shutout.

Mike Tomlin has yet to address Leftwich’s status, but will likely it will be the first question out of the gate if he doesn’t address it when he meets with the media on Tuesday.

Leftwich made his first start since 2009 last night, as he was in for Rothlisberger, who suffered shoulder and rib injuries during a victory against the Chiefs in Week 10.

Leftwich showed constant discomfort on the sideline and in the huddle after tumbling into the end zone following his 31-yard touchdown run in the first quarter.

It’s possible that he was also injured during the fourth quarter, when he absorbed several blows as the Ravens increased their blitzes.

No matter how it happened, it now looks like it will be up to Batch to try and right the ship that is the Steelers season.