The Steelers have placed veteran quarterback Charlie Batch on the injured reserve list, ending his season and ensuring that Byron Leftwich will be the top backup to Ben Roethlisberger the remainder of the year.

Also, the team released wide receiver Willie Reid, a former third-round draft choice; defensive end Ryan Mcbean, last year's fourth-round pick; punter Paul Ernster; and former Pro Bowl return specialist Eddie Drummond as part of the 22 cuts announced today by Coach Mike Tomlin. The Steelers had to get to a mandatory 53 players by 6 p.m. today.

In addition, the team reached injury settlements with three players who were released -- outside linebacker Arnold Harrison, a three-year veteran who sustained a torn anterior cruciate ligament in Thursday night's preseason finale; rookie linebacker Mike Humpal and rookie safety Ryan Mundy of Woodland Hills High School and West Virginia. Humpal and Mundy were sixth-round draft choices.

Also released were linebacker Patrick Bailey, fullback Billy Latsko, guard Doug Legursky, guard Matt Lentz, cornerback Roy Lewis, safety Grant Mason, tackle Jeremy Parquet, defensive tackle Scott Paxson, defensive end Jordan Reffett, wide receiver Micah Rucker, tight end Dezmond Sherrod, tight end Lee Vickers, running back Justin Vincent and cornerback Travis Williams.

The Steelers can sign up to eight players to the practice squad, beginning noon Sunday.

Batch, 33, had surgery to repair a broken right collarbone after he was injured in the team's first preseason game Aug. 8 against the Philadelphia Eagles. His contact with the Steelers expires at the end of the season, but he will still be paid his $1.355 million salary this season, even on IR.