So much for the plans of Mice and Men.

Unable to see the Steelers-Panthers preseason game down here in Buenos Aires, I was all set to write up a tribute to Charlie Batch. I even started putting it together while on the subway, making my lunch, and doing some shopping.

Then I logged into PG Plus, and saw that Ed Bouchette is reporting that Byron Leftwich left the game with an injured left knee.

Bouchette reports that Leftwich was examined, and then limped off to the locker room with team training Jon Norwig.

Not good news. Yes, when you see a player walking under his own power that is usually a good sign….

….Yes, I’ve written about this before, But I will never forget Sunday, September 3rd, the day Rod Woodson planted when trying to tackle Barry Sanders.

Woodson left the field on the cart, but then I remember everyone felt when they saw him get up and walk to the locker room on his own power…

Let’s hope Leftwich is OK. ESPN has reported that Leftwich will not return to the game.

Calling on Charlie?

By all accounts, Charlie Batch was not and perhaps still will not, make the final 53 man roster.

In away, that’s a good thing as the Steelers have so many rookies who look at least promising enough to keep around, and this is a team that must do a better job of developing young talent.

The conventional wisdom was that the Steelers would let Batch go with the idea that he’d be available on speed dial.

But Arizona has real interest in moving Matt Leinart, and the rumor is that they would like to bring Batch to Pittsburgh West to back up Derrick Anderson.

The irony is that just this week a source no less definitive than Merril Hoge insisted that Batch, and not Leftwich or Dennis Dixon start.

Prior Leftwich’s injury, Steel Curtain Rising was prepared to say the Steelers were going to cut Batch, despite the flaws apparent in Leftwich and Dixon because Mike Tomlin and Kevin Colbert do not make personnel decisions scared.

Unless Leftwich’s injury is decidedly minor, the Steelers would by very wise to consider finding a roster spot for Charlie Batch.

Thanks for visiting Steel Curtain Rising. Click here to follow us on Twitter.