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Steelers check out Burress, quarterback candidates; could sign two
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In this 2003 file photo, former Steeler Plaxico Burress celebrates after the team beat Cleveland Browns at Heinz Field.
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The Steelers worked out four players today, including former wide receiver Plaxico Burress, and are expected to sign at least two of them, Coach Mike Tomlin said.
Burress is joined by former Penn State wide receiver Derrick Williams and quarterbacks Brian Hoyer and Mike Kafka.
They were being worked out under the eye of Tomlin, offensive coordinator Todd Haley and general manager Kevin Colbert.
"We're looking at these guys with the potential to sign at least one at each position," Tomlin said during his weekly news conference. "The men we will acquire will fortify our depth to win this football game."
Williams was with the Steelers in training camp.
Hoyer, who played at Michigan State, was most the recently the No. 3 quarterback with the New England Patriots.
Kafka was a former backup with the Philadelphia Eagles who was drafted on the fourth round in 2010 from Northwestern. He was 11 of 16 for 107 yards and two interceptions in a limited appearance for the Eagles.
"Due to injuries at a number of positions, we feel we need to fortify our depth at these positions," Tomlin said.
The Steelers need a wide receiver to replace Jerricho Cotchery, who sustained multiple rib fractures near the end of the loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Also, wide receiver Antonio Brown, who missed the past two games with a high-ankle sprain, is not expected to play in Sunday's game in Cleveland.
And they need a quarterback because Byron Leftwich has two cracked ribs sustained against the Ravens.
Tomlin said the injuries to Cotchery and Leftwich are not season-ending, but both will not play against the Browns.
Ben Roethlisberger will miss his second game in a row with shoulder/ribs injuries, but Tomlin said he had additional tests today and "we are encouraged with his status."
Tomlin reiterated that Roethlisberger's injuries to his shoulder and ribs "are one in the same."
First Published November 20, 2012 11:25 am
