Gradkowski (finger) was placed on injured reserve Tuesday, Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

With Gradkowski requiring surgery on the finger on his non-throwing hand, the Steelers elected to sign Michael Vick to handle backup duties behind Ben Roethlisberger. Gradkowski's familiarity with offensive coordinator Todd Haley's system likely would have put him on solid ground for a roster spot this season, but there's no guarantee that the 32-year-old will be retained when he becomes a free agent next offseason.

Gradkowski will have surgery on his left hand Tuesday, ESPN.com's Adam Schefter reports.

Gradkowski dislocated a finger on his non-throwing hand, but it appears the injury will put his Week 1 status in question, as the Steelers will meet with Michael Vick on Tuesday, according to ESPN.com's Adam Schefter. Gradkowski has been trying to hold off Landry Jones for the No. 2 quarterback job.

Gradkowski completed 3-of-5 passes for 25 yards before he injured a finger on his left hand in the Steelers' third preseason game.

Gradkowski just returned from a shoulder injury that had cost him most of training camp, so the timing of this injury creates another opportunity for Landry Jones to try and win the back-up quarterback spot behind Ben Roethlisberger.

Gradkowski (shoulder) was activated from the PUP list, according to ESPN.com.

The journeyman quarterback can now begin practicing with the Steelers, who will decide between him and Landry Jones as to who will serve as back-up to Ben Roethlisberger this season. Through two preseason games Jones, who has never thrown a pass in a regular season game, has completed 39-of-78 passes for 328 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Gradkowski has seen action in 36 games during his career, but is only a 52.9-percent passer. Neither is a viable fantasy option at this time.

Gradkowski (throwing shoulder fatigue) began training camp on the PUP list, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette writer Ed Bouchette reports.

Gradkowski doesn't have a timeline for return, but that his condition is listed as mere fatigue gives hope that he's closer to day-to-day than week-to-week. He in any case appears likely to compete against Landry Jones for the backup spot behind Ben Roethlisberger, health permitting.

Gradkowski completed two-of-three passes for 22 yards in Pittsburgh's 30-17 Wild Card loss to Baltimore on Saturday.

Gradkowski, who had not attempted a pass since 2012, entered the game on a third-and-21 with just under five minutes remaining while Ben Roethlisberger was being examined on the sidelines for a possible concussion. Gradkowski completed his first two passes to pick-up the first down, moving the Steelers to the Ravens' 14-yard line. After an incomplete pass, he was replaced by Roethlisberger, who threw an interception on the next play, ending Pittsburgh's playoff hopes.

Steelers signed QB Bruce Gradkowski to a three-year contract.

It was beyond time for the Steelers to upgrade their backup situation. Ben Roethlisberger has missed eight games over the last three seasons and Charlie Batch/Byron Leftwich proved mostly inept. Gradkowski, 30, brings 20 NFL starts and seven years of experience as a backup to the table.

Free agent QB Bruce Gradkowski will visit the Steelers.

The Steelers need to move on from the gray-bearded free agent Charlie Batch, and Byron Leftwich isn't coming back. Gradkowski is a solid veteran who last started a game in 2010 with the Raiders. He just turned 30 years old in January, and he sports a career 65.8 QB rating.

According to the Cincinnati Enquirer, the "odds look good" free agent Bruce Gradkowski returns as Andy Dalton's backup in 2013.

Gradkowski has attempted just 29 passes over the past two seasons, but is still only 30 years old. The owner of a career 65.8 QB rating, Gradkowski will be back if the Bengals will have him. Teams usually opt for continuity with their No. 2 spot.

In relief of Andy Dalton, Bruce Gradkowski completed 5-of-11 passes for 65 yards in Sunday's Week 17, 23-17 win over the Ravens.

Dalton played the entire first half before Gradkowski entered to open up the third quarter. With the game tied at 7-7 at halftime, Gradkowski will get credit for the win. Cincinnati had nothing to gain in Week 17, but head coach Marvin Lewis didn't want to just sit his guys and have them cold for the playoffs. Gradkowski will return to his backup duties when the No. 6 seed Bengals open the playoffs on the road next weekend.

After replacing a dinged-up Andy Dalton at halftime, Bruce Gradkowski completed 5-of-12 passes for 92 yards and a touchdown as the Bengals upset the Browns in Week 1.

Dalton missed the second half with a right wrist injury. He'll return to the starting lineup at Denver next week. Gradkowski was mostly ineffective, but at least capitalized on a slow-moving Browns defense by executing a 41-yard touchdown throw to A.J. Green after a quick snap with the Cleveland team still in its huddle. Gradkowski managed just 51 yards on his other 11 attempts. Dalton's job is safe as the Bengals' starter.

Bengals agreed to terms with QB Bruce Gradkowski on a two-year contract.

This one has been in the cards for months. Gradkowski knows new coordinator Jay Gruden's offense, which takes on added importance after the lockout wiped out OTAs. A prototypical "bridge" QB, Gradkowski is the favorite to start in Cincinnati until Andy Dalton gains a familiarity with his teammates and Gruden's playbook. The Bengals QB situation is one to avoid in fantasy circles.

ESPN's Adam Schefter confirms the Bengals have begun contract discussions with free agent QB Bruce Gradkowski.

This was fully expected. Gradkowski knows OC Jay Gruden's offense inside and out after playing under him and his brother for three years in Tampa. The Bengals have stated that rookie Andy Dalton will get a chance to start, but Gradkowski would be the prohibitive favorite for Week 1 if signed.

The Cincinnati Enquirer calls free agent Bruce Gradkowski a "name to watch" in the Bengals search for a veteran quarterback this summer.

Gradkowski worked with new Bengals OC Jay Gruden for three years in Tampa Bay, which could be a huge asset as the Bengals scramble to install their offense following the unusual offseason. NFL Network's Jason La Canfora also mentioned Gradkowski to Cincinnati as a possibility last month, so there's definitely smoke here.

NFL Network's Jason LaCanfora suggests the Bengals will turn to free agent Bruce Gradkowski as competition for Andy Dalton this summer.

Teams are confident that Gradkowski will play the role of the good soldier if forced into a backup role whereas Donovan McNabb and Vince Young may bridle at holding a clipboard. Bengals coordinator Jay Gruden coached Gradkowski in Tampa, so the connection makes plenty of sense. Grakowski has also been mentioned for the same "bridge" QB role in Minnesota with Christian Ponder.

Owner Al Davis suggested earlier in the offseason that he was moving on from Bruce Gradkowski because of the free agent's injury history.

Davis concedes that Gradkowski has it what it takes to be a successful QB in the NFL. On the other hand, "as good as Gradkowski is for a single game, we can't hold up the injury factor from happening," said Davis. "He incurs injuries, and that worries the hell out of me. And I like continuity."

The Raiders failed to extend a tender to potential restricted free agent QB Bruce Gradkowski.

Gradkowski was a Tom Cable favorite, but it seems that new coach Hue Jackson has no interest in bringing him back after last year's QB controversy. Jackson could turn to former pupil Troy Smith as a clear backup to Jason Campbell instead. Gradkowski will sign elsewhere as a No. 2 quarterback.

The Raiders made the decision to place Bruce Gradkowski (shoulder) on injured reserve because he wasn't going to be able to throw again for at least another week or two.

"You look at what's left on our schedule. It's just not enough time," said coach Tom Cable. With Gradkowski out, the Raiders have give games to determine if Jason Campbell is a realistic option for 2011.

Raiders placed QB Bruce Gradkowski (shoulder) on injured reserve, ending his season.

Gradkowski reportedly suffered a third-degree separation to the same throwing shoulder that was injured earlier in the season. This is the second straight season that Gradkowski has finished out on injured reserve. A free agent in 2011, the coaching staff favorite could be brought back as a backup to a new starter. Jason Campbell will close out the season under center for the Raiders.

An MRI has revealed that Bruce Gradkowski has a separated shoulder, which will end his season.

Gradkowski was fearing bad news, and that's exactly what he got. He started three games for the Silver and Black this season and participated in six altogether, completing less than 53 percent of his passes and throwing five touchdowns to seven interceptions. There's no more quarterback controversy in Oakland, as it's now Jason Campbell's job by default.