The Steelers need some help on offense after losing quarterback Ben Roethlisberger to injury for a few weeks, and on Tuesday, they turned to a familiar source.
Pittsburgh announced it has signed former Patriots backup quarterback Brian Hoyer and former Steelers receiver Plaxico Burress to help the passing attack.
We have signed 2 free agents, WR Plaxico Burress and QB Brian Hoyer, to one-year deals, and released @baron_batch and @mmcfadden5
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) November 20, 2012
Hoyer will likely back up Byron Leftwich, who started last week for Pittsburgh, while Burress will look to recapture some of the magic that made him an elite receiver for Pittsburgh from 2000 to 2004. Burress saw his career derail after leaving Pittsburgh, as he served jail time after being arrested on firearm charges near the end of his four-year stop with the Giants.
The Jets signed Burress in 2011, and he caught 45 passes for 612 yards last year, but he was unable to find a team going into this season.
Hoyer, meanwhile, was cut by the Patriots coming out of camp this year as coach Bill Belichick opted to go with two quarterbacks, the backup being youngster Ryan Mallett. In his three years in New England, Hoyer played in 13 games and completed 27 of 43 passes for 286 yards and one touchdown.
While Roethlisberger appeared to have the Steelers back on the winning track a couple of weeks ago before getting injured, Leftwich struggled in his first start, going 18-for-39 with 201 yards as Pittsburgh fell 13-10 to the division rival Ravens on Sunday.
