When the playoffs are off the table, it’s time for teams who aren’t advancing to start clearing the decks of guys they were saving just in case.
The Steelers did just that, placing cornerback Ike Taylor on injured reserve, along with tight end Heath Miller and running back Baron Batch.
Taylor had missed three games with an ankle injury, and they were holding out hope he could return if they made the postseason.
The other two weren’t going to be back, as Miller suffered a ACL/MCL/PCL injury last week, and will need surgery on his right knee. Batch suffered a broken arm last week as well.
To fill the roster, the Steelers promoted tight end Jamie McCoy, safety Damon Cromartie-Smith and linebacker Marshall McFadden from their practice squad.