Steelers claim Mettenberger, place Gradkowski on IR
By Dale Lolley
Staff writer
dlolley@observer-reporter.com
The Steelers claimed veteran Zach Mettenberger off waivers Wednesday, placing veteran quarterback Bruce Gradkowski on injured reserve.
Mettenberger, a sixth-round draft pick of Tennessee in 2014 out of LSU, had been released by San Diego Tuesday.
The three-year veteran has completed 208 of 345 career passes for 2,347 yards, 12 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. He’s 0-10 as a starter in his career – all with Tennessee.
One of those starts came during his rookie season in 2014 when he completed 15 of 24 passes for 263 yards, two touchdowns and an interception in a 27-24 loss in Tennessee to the Steelers.
The Steelers are content with Landry Jones serving as Ben Roethlisberger’s backup this season, despite a four-interception performance two weeks ago in a preseason loss to Philadelphia.
Jones rebounded last week to complete 19 of 22 passes for 206 yards and a touchdown in a win at New Orleans.
“It was a good performance by him, a much needed one,” said head coach Mike Tomlin. “And hopefully, he continues to build.”
The Steelers do have, however, had some question marks behind Roethlisberger and Jones before claiming Mettenberger.
Gradkowski had been dealing with a severe hamstring injury, while Dustin Vaughan, who was with the team throughout the offseason and training camp, was released after suffering a fractured thumb on his throwing hand.
Those two injuries prompted the team to sign journeyman Bryn Renner last week. Renner saw limited playing time in the team’s win at New Orleans last week but is expected to play a significant amount Thursday at Carolina in the team’s preseason finale.
The Steelers could bring Gradkowski back off injured reserve once his hamstring heals if it chooses to designate him for return.
Under new rules adopted this season, teams do not have to designate their player on injured reserve who can return as in previous years. The team also is expected to place cornerback Senquez Golson on injured reserve Saturday when it trims its roster to 53 players.