Tribune News Services Steelers quarterback Byron Leftwich, expected to replace Ben Roethlisberger during his suspension, sprained his left knee in the second quarter as Pittsburgh beat the starter-less Panthers 19-3.
Leftwich, tuning up for his anticipated start Sept. 12 against Atlanta, completed an 18-yard pass to rookie Emmanuel Sanders before being knocked off his feet as running back Mewelde Moore and safety Marcus Hudson collided near him with 10:25 remaining in the first half.
Leftwich was examined by team doctors on a stretcher behind the Steelers' bench, then limped into a nearby tunnel that leads to the locker room. After the game, the Steelers (3-1) said Leftwich would undergo an MRI for the ligament injury.
Photo: Byron Leftwich talks with coach Mike Tomlin while leaving the field. (AP / Keith Srakocic)
As Leftwich was being helped off, coach Mike Tomlin immediately lifted No. 3 quarterback Dennis Dixon.
Wide receiver Hines Ward, interviewed before the game was over, hinted the Steelers expect to go into the season with Dixon as their starter.
Dixon, who has started only one NFL game, stayed in long enough to finish the drive Leftwich started, throwing a 23-yard pass to rookie Emmanuel Sanders for the game's only touchdown -- and on his lone pass attempt. Jeff Reed kicked field goals of 33, 43, 31 and 32 yards.
While Carolina's starters never saw the field, most of Pittsburgh's regulars played into the second quarter, and there were starters on the field when Leftwich was hurt.
Leftwich, whose only playing time during a 34-17 loss Sunday to Denver came with second-line players on the field, came in after Roethlisberger played two series, going 4 of 6 for 39 yards. Charlie Batch, the longtime backup who looked to be in danger of not making the roster, played the final 2 1/2 quarters and handed off on nearly every play. Batch attempted only four passes.
On Friday, Roethlisberger travels to New York for a meeting with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to determine if his six-game suspension for violating the league's personal conduct policy will be reduced to four games.
Nearly six months ago, there was considerable speculation how Roethlisberger would be received by Steelers fans upset with his behavior. As it turned out, there were merely shrugs the first time he took the field in Pittsburgh.
Wide receiver Hines Ward, interviewed before the game was over, hinted the Steelers expect to go into the season with Dixon as their starter.
Dixon, who has started only one NFL game, stayed in long enough to finish the drive Leftwich started, throwing a 23-yard pass to rookie Emmanuel Sanders for the game's only touchdown -- and on his lone pass attempt. Jeff Reed kicked field goals of 33, 43, 31 and 32 yards.
While Carolina's starters never saw the field, most of Pittsburgh's regulars played into the second quarter, and there were starters on the field when Leftwich was hurt.
Leftwich, whose only playing time during a 34-17 loss Sunday to Denver came with second-line players on the field, came in after Roethlisberger played two series, going 4 of 6 for 39 yards. Charlie Batch, the longtime backup who looked to be in danger of not making the roster, played the final 2 1/2 quarters and handed off on nearly every play. Batch attempted only four passes.
On Friday, Roethlisberger travels to New York for a meeting with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to determine if his six-game suspension for violating the league's personal conduct policy will be reduced to four games.
Nearly six months ago, there was considerable speculation how Roethlisberger would be received by Steelers fans upset with his behavior. As it turned out, there were merely shrugs the first time he took the field in Pittsburgh.
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