Charlie Batch will start at quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday against the St. Louis Rams, according to Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. The team has decided to rest Ben Roethlisberger, who's struggled with a Grade 1 ankle sprain suffered Dec. 8, for Saturday's contest.
Batch, 37, has appeared in three games this season and failed to complete either of his pass attempts. Opponents have sacked him twice for 10 yards lost. In 2010, he started two games in place of Roethlisberger, completing 63.2 percent of his passes for three touchdowns and three interceptions; the Steelers went 1-1 in those games.
Roethlisberger's injury means Saturday's game will almost assuredly feature backups at the quarterback position for both teams. Unless Rams starter Sam Bradford, whom his coach termed "doubtful" to play after Thursday's practice, makes a surprise recovery, Batch's opponent will be St. Louis third-stringer Kellen Clemens. The Rams have already ruled No. 2 quarterback A.J. Feeley out.
For more on the Steelers, please visit Behind the Steel Curtain, SB Nation's Steelers blog. For the perspective from the other side, please visit SB Nation St. Louis and Turf Show Times, SB Nation's Rams blog.