An injury-decimated Steelers team is reportedly adding former Patriots backup quarterback Brian Hoyer and receiver Plaxico Burress.
Jason La Confora of CBSSports.com reported (via twitter [1]) that Hoyer signed a one-year contract, at a time when the Steelers are turning to Charlie Batch to start on Sunday with both starter Ben Roethlisberger and backup Byron Leftwich sidelined by injuries. Hoyer saw limited action in 13 games with the Patriots, completing 27-of-43 passes (62.8 percent) for 286 yards. The Michigan State product was signed by the Pats as an undrafted free agent in 2009. He was released this year by the Patriots at the end of preseason, as the Pats turned to Ryan Mallett as their backup.
The Steelers also brought back a player who was once a standout receiver for them in Burress, a move first reported by Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network (via twitter [2]). The 35-year-old, a Steelers first-rounder in 2000, spent five seasons with Pittsburgh then four with the Giants before an arrest kept him out of the league in 2009 and 2010. He returned last year with the Jets, catching 45 passes for 612 yards and eight touchdowns. He has 550 catches for 8,457 yards and 63 touchdowns in 10 seasons.
For more Patriots news, visit weei.com/patriots [3].
Links:
[1] https://twitter.com/JasonLaCanfora/status/270952390042198016
[2] https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/270959523718627328
[3] http://www.weei.com/patriots
[4] http://www.weei.com/category/boston/patriots