Free agent Byron Leftwich isn't expected back with the Steelers.

Fellow free agent Charlie Batch, 38, is expected to return on a one-year deal and hold down the fort until a younger, developmental quarterback is in place. One name that the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette mentions as a possibility in the middle rounds of the draft is Miami of Ohio's Zac Dysert.

GM Kevin Colbert said he will explore drafting a quarterback "above the late rounds" to serve as Ben Roethlisberger's backup.

Although Byron Leftwich (ribs) is now healthy, Charlie Batch will remain the No. 2 quarterback behind Ben Roethlisberger.

The Steelers are rewarding Batch for his strong play in an upset win over Baltimore two weeks ago. Leftwich, 32, is a free agent in 2013. The Steelers need to find a backup with more durability behind Roethlisberger.

Coach Mike Tomlin confirmed that Byron Leftwich (ribs) is not an option to start Week 14 versus the Chargers.

"There won't be many opportunities for Byron (Leftwich) to prove that he is getting healthy even though he is," said Tomlin. The Steelers are preparing Charlie Batch to start while giving backup Brian Hoyer's reps to Ben Roethlisberger, who will be given a chance to show that he's ready to return.

Coach Mike Tomlin confirmed that Byron Leftwich sustained multiple rib fractures in Sunday night's loss to the Ravens.

Leftwich won't play in Sunday's game at Cleveland and Ben Roethlisberger (ribs, shoulder) is "doubtful" at best. That leaves Charlie Batch as the Steelers' Week 12 starter. Leftwich's season isn't over, but we've likely seen him take his last snap as a Steeler. By the time he gets back, Big Ben should be back under center.

ESPN reports Byron Leftwich fractured two ribs in Sunday's loss, and is unlikely to start in Week 12.

Leftwich was in obvious pain throughout Sunday's loss, but third-stringer Charlie Batch never even took off his coat. NBC's Cris Collinsworth cracked Steelers coach Mike Tomlin didn't seem to care about Leftwich's blatant pain. Leftwich's noted arm strength was majorly diminished by the fourth quarter, however, and it would be shocking if he played in Week 12. Now the Steelers need to find someone to back-up Batch. Batch started one game in 2011, leading the Steelers past the Rams. Seemingly hurt every time an opportunity arises to play, Leftwich is unlikely to be back with the Steelers in 2013.

CBS' Jason La Canfora reports the Steelers are concerned Byron Leftwich (ribs) will be "out for a while," and will work out quarterbacks this week.

With Ben Roethlisberger (ribs, shoulder) not expected to be ready for Week 12, Leftwich's injury leaves heirloom Charlie Batch as the Steelers' only healthy quarterback. Perhaps Pittsburgh will give old standby Dennis Dixon a call. Even if Leftwich is healthy for Week 12, he can't be trusted as a QB2.

Byron Leftwich downplayed his rib and shoulder injury after Sunday's game, insisting that he's "OK."

Leftwich suffered the injury when he stumbled and fell in the end zone on his opening-drive 31-yard touchdown. "Leftwich was hurt pretty much the whole game," safety Ryan Clark said. "We couldn't make a play for him." The injury clearly inhibited Leftwich from throwing beyond 30-40 yards late in the game. Coach Mike Tomlin gave no indication after the game that he's considering Charlie Batch as his Week 12 starter.

Byron Leftwich completed 18-of-39 passes for 201 yards, zero touchdowns and one interception in Pittsburgh's Week 11 loss to the Ravens.

With his throwing motion remaining longer than a Lord of the Rings movie, Leftwich was slowed even further by an apparent rib or shoulder injury. He winced throughout an effort that saw him struggle to challenge downfield, and could barely heave the ball longer than 30 yards by the Steelers' final drive. The league's biggest statue this side of Michelangelo's David, Leftwich's biggest play ironically came with his feet, where he capped off Pittsburgh's opening series with a 31-yard touchdown run. There would be little excitement after that, however. Leftwich's health and effectiveness will both be reasons for the Steelers to consider turning to third-stringer Charlie Batch in Week 12.

Steelers OC Todd Haley will cater the offense to suit Byron Leftwich's strengths this week versus the Ravens.

"This is why I make the point every time you all say 'Haley's offense,' it's not my offense," said Haley. "We're going to do things to cater to the strength of our players." Haley is right not to have Leftwich running Big Ben's quick-passing attack, but we're not sure what Lefty's strengths are at this point. Conventional wisdom says he excels at the deep ball, but he's been one of the least efficient vertical passers in the league over the past half-decade.

Coach Mike Tomlin confirmed that Byron Leftwich will start versus the Ravens in Week 11 if Ben Roethlisberger (shoulder) is held out.

There's sentiment in Pittsburgh that Charlie Batch's significantly quicker release is a better fit for Todd Haley's short passing attack, but Tomlin is sticking with his No. 2 quarterback. Leftwich put a hurting on the production of Mike Wallace, Emmanuel Sanders, and Heath Miller Monday night, averaging just 5.2 yards on 14 passes. The Steelers fantasy players are in for a severe downgrade for Week 11.

Byron Leftwich completed just 7-of-14 passes for 73 yards after replacing Ben Roethlisberger (right shoulder) early in the third quarter of Monday night's Week 10 overtime win.

Leftwich has one of the longest deliveries among NFL quarterbacks, and it was painfully obvious when Pittsburgh dialed up multiple screen passes. Big Ben left the stadium and was taken to a local hospital with a "non-traditional, unique" shoulder injury, so his Week 11 outlook seems bleak. Leftwich hasn't started a game in nearly three years but may very well be under center next week at home against the Ravens. He has a cannon of a right arm, but with Rashard Mendenhall (Achilles') aiming for a return, Pittsburgh could employ a heavy rushing attack. If Leftwich gets the start, he's obviously not a fantasy option.

Byron Leftwich is listed as the second-team quarterback on the Steelers' first official depth chart.

As expected. Although Leftwich missed the entire 2011 season due to a fractured arm, he returns ahead of Charlie Batch. Leftwich, now 32, hasn't started a game 2009 while with the Bucs.

Steelers agreed to terms with QB Byron Leftwich.

The Steelers re-signed Charlie Batch earlier this month, but Leftwich should be returning as Ben Roethlisberger's primary backup. The No. 7 overall pick of the 2003 draft, Leftwich has attempted just seven passes the past two seasons, and landed on injured last September following ankle surgery. Batch and Troy Smith should duke it out for No. 3 duties in camp.

The Colts are reportedly interested in signing free agent QB Byron Leftwich as a tutor for Andrew Luck.

New coordinator Bruce Arians wants Leftwich, well-versed in the offensive scheme, to show the No. 1 overall pick the ropes. Leftwich would like to return to Pittsburgh, but the Steelers' salary cap issues have held up a signing. Drew Stanton would drop to No. 3 on the depth chart if Leftwich signs in Indy.

The Steelers are interested in re-signing backup QBs Byron Leftwich and Charlie Batch.

The Steelers are letting Dennis Dixon walk, and currently have only Troy Smith and Jerrod Johnson under contract behind Ben Roethlisberger. Ideally, Leftwich would return as Big Ben's primary backup. Batch may be forced to move on or retire after spending the past nine seasons in Pittsburgh.

The Steelers are expected to re-sign free agent Byron Leftwich this offseason.

Leftwich, 32, missed all of 2011 with a fractured left arm, and had his oft-problematic ankle surgically repaired during the season. He should be as healthy as ever for 2012. Leftwich is expected to return as Ben Roethlisberger's primary backup. Troy Smith and Jerrod Johnson will compete to be third string.

Byron Leftwich (fractured arm, injured reserve) underwent a "cleanup" procedure on his ankle Wednesday.

According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Gerry Dulac, Leftwich's ankle has "bothered him since (his college) days." That's fairly remarkable since he's been in the NFL since 2003. A free agent at season's end, Leftwich is a good bet to end up back with the Steelers.

Steelers placed QB Byron Leftwich on injured reserve with a fractured left arm, ending his season.

He needed surgery last week. Leftwich, 31, has posted a 6:3 TD-to-INT ratio in spot duty over the past three seasons. The Steelers like Leftwich enough to give him another shot in 2012 camp, but we don't see him ever ascending to even a starting competition again. He'll be a free agent next spring.

Steelers backup QB Byron Leftwich underwent surgery Monday to repair a fracture in his left arm.

"We're going to wait until he comes out of surgery and let it calm down for a couple of days before we make that determination," coach Mike Tomlin said when asked if Leftwich is headed for I.R. The Steelers are now holding a competition between Charlie Batch and Dennis Dixon for their early-season backup job.