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Notebook: Knee injury forces Batch to miss time
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About the writer
Jerry DiPaola is the Tribune-Review high school sports editor. He can be reached via e-mail.
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Backup quarterback Backup quarterback Charlie Batch will miss at least the next 2 to 3 weeks after an MRI found a loose body in his surgically repaired knee. Steelers coach Bill Cowher did not indicate that further surgery will be necessary, but he said Batch and Steelers orthopedic physician Dr. James Bradley might seek an additional opinion. Batch is locked in a battle with Brian St. Pierre for one remaining spot on the team's quarterback depth chart after Tommy Maddox and Ben Roethlisberger. Meanwhile, the Steelers will look to bring another quarterback into camp next week to ease the strain on the three quarterbacks.
Roethlisberger is eager for his first NFL hit, but he hopes it has a better result. "The first hit broke my nose," he said. It was in a game between Roethlisberger's Miami (Ohio) team and Michigan. "I want to say it was Foote (Steelers backup linebacker Larry), but I don't think it was. But I'll blame it on him, anyway," he said. "It was out of bounds, late hit. They should have called a flag, but they didn't, of course. You're up in Michigan. They don't call much in Michigan." Roethlisberger, who sat out only one play, has a clearer memory of his first college interception. This time, it was Foote, he said. "Life works out that way," he said.
Digits
90 Percentage of NFL games that will be scouted by Steelers personnel in the first three weekends of the preseason.
11 Injured Steelers who won't play Saturday against the Detroit Lions.
5 Starters among that group, including starting cornerbacks Chad Scott and Deshea Townsend, tight end Jerame Tuman, outside linebacker Clark Haggans and free safety Chris Hope.
0 Interceptions recorded in NFL games last season by cornerbacks Willie Williams, Ike Taylor and Ricardo Colclough, who top the Steelers' depth chart for the Lions game.
