The Steelers knew veteran backup quarterback Bruce Gradkowski was going to miss significant time with a hamstring tear.
As it turns out, it will be a season-ending injury.
Via Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, to make room for waiver claim pickup Zach Mettenberger, the Steelers placed Bruce Gradkowski on injured reserve, where he’s now spent the last two seasons.
The 33-year-old Gradkowski missed last season with a torn labrum in his throwing shoulder. Though there was a possibility he might have returned this year from the hamstring injury, the perpetual nature of his recovery made them seek out a more reliable alternative as a third quarterback.
Gradkowski started 20 games in his career, with 11 of them coming as a rookie in 2006 with the Buccaneers. He’s also played with the Browns, Raiders, and Bengals before joining his hometown team.