Steelers lose backup quarterback Leftwich to a sprained knee

PITTSBURGH — All of a sudden, losing Ben Roethlisberger for at least a month isn't the Steelers' only quarterback worry. Byron Leftwich, expected to be the fill-in starter, is injured and looks to be out indefinitely.

Leftwich, tuning up for his anticipated Sept. 12 start against Atlanta, sprained his left knee in the second quarter as Pittsburgh beat the starter-less Carolina Panthers 19-3 on Thursday night.

Coach Mike Tomlin said Leftwich would undergo an MRI on Friday, but the quarterback's teammates sounded discouraged. Backup Charlie Batch called it a "serious" injury, and Dennis Dixon — now the likely starter — said he couldn't talk to Leftwich because doctors were working on the knee so intensely.

"It's an opportunity, I guess, but it's unfortunate for Byron for what he went through. But this team has to continue to go forward," said Dixon, who has started only one NFL game. "I know once he's going to come back he's going to give us nothing but tremendous support."

As Dixon talked to reporters, Roethlisberger — leaving the Steelers' locker room for the last time in at least a month — leaned close and offered words of encouragement. Roethlisberger will meet Friday with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to learn if his suspension for off-field behavior will be reduced to four games, as expected, or stay at six games.

"It's very tough, kind of emotional," said Roethlisberger, who cannot practice with the Steelers while suspended. "I've just got to go do what I've got to do."

Carolina coach John Fox knew what he had to do to avoid injury in a meaningless game, and that's rest his starters. Quarterback Matt Moore and backup Jimmy Clausen didn't play.

Other games

At Rams 27, Ravens 21

Sam Bradford made another favorable impression in his second start, going 6 for 6 for 68 yards and a touchdown to open St. Louis' victory over Baltimore.

At Vikings 31, Broncos 24

Denver rookie Tim Tebow outplayed Minnesota's Tarvaris Jackson in the backup quarterback comparison, but the Vikings forced four first-half turnovers and beat the Broncos.

At Giants 20, Patriots 17

Rhett Bomar may have nailed down the job as New York's backup quarterback, throwing a 60-yard scoring pass to Duke Calhoun with 1:49 to play as the Giants rallied to beat New England.

Jets 21, at Eagles 17

Michael Vick led Philadelphia to a field goal in two series in his first start in four years, and Kurt Coleman scored on two fumble returns, but New York beat Philadelphia.

At Cowboys 27, Dolphins 25

David Buehler kicked a 31-yard field goal as time expired, lifting Dallas past Miami.

At Titans 27, Saints 24

Alvin Pearman had a 5-yard touchdown run with 3:18 left to help Tennessee beat Super Bowl champion New Orleans. Vince Young threw a scoring pass, and LeGarrette Blount also ran for a score.

At Browns 13, Bears 10

Montario Hardesty, Cleveland's highly touted rookie running back whose career at Tennessee was slowed by knee injuries, hurt his left one in the second quarter of the Browns' victory.

Bengals 30, at Colts 28

Cedric Peerman had a 93-yard touchdown run in the third quarter, and reserve Jordan Palmer completed 10 of 14 passes for 115 yards and two TDs for Cincinnati.

At Chiefs 17, Packers 13

Matt Cassel and Brodie Croyle each led touchdown drives and Kansas City won for the first time in the exhibition season since 2008.

Buccaneers 24, at Texans 17

Rudy Carpenter threw two TD passes to Arrelious Benn, and Corey Lynch returned one of his two interceptions 91 yards for a score to help Tampa Bay beat Houston.

At Lions 28, Bills 23

Third-stringer Drew Stanton threw a pair of second-half touchdown passes for Detroit after Matthew Stafford had an interception returned for a touchdown.

At Jaguars 13, Falcons 9

Brock Bolen scored on a 16-yard run, and Josh Scobee kicked two field goals for Jacksonville.

At 49ers 17, Chargers 14

Manny Lawson and Taylor Mays each had interceptions and rookie Anthony Dixon ran 46 yards for a first-half touchdown as San Francisco closed out its first unbeaten exhibition season in 18 years.

At Cardinals 20, Redskins 10

Max Hall, the undrafted rookie from Brigham Young, completed 7 of 9 passes for 126 yards and scored on a 6-yard run to lift Arizona over Washington.