Steelers sign QB Paxton Lynch to practice squad after Ben Roethlisberger's injury

E.Jay Zarett

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Steelers sign QB Paxton Lynch to practice squad after Ben Roethlisberger's injury image

Paxton Lynch is heading to Pittsburgh. 

The Steelers have signed the 25-year-old quarterback to their practice squad, the team announced Tuesday. 

Lynch was originally selected by the Broncos out of Memphis in the first round of the 2016 draft. But, he struggled during his five appearances over two seasons with the team and was eventually waived in September 2018.

He spent the preseason with the Seahawks before being released just before Week 1. 

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Pittsburgh, meanwhile, had an opening under center on their depth chart after Ben Roethlisberger suffered a season-ending arm injury, which will require surgery, in the team's 28-26 loss to the Seahawks last weekend. 

"This is shocking and heartbreaking for me, to miss this much of a season and feel like I am letting down so many people," Roethlisberger said in a statement. "I can only trust God’s plan, but I am completely determined to battle through this challenge and come back stronger than ever next season. The Steelers committed three years to me this offseason and I fully intend to honor my contract and reward them with championship-level play."

Roethlisberger was replaced by Mason Rudolph, who completed 12 of his 19 passes for 112 yards with two touchdowns and an interception against Seattle. 

Rudolph is set to start for Pittsburgh in its Week 3 matchup with San Francisco while the team promoted Devlin Hodges from the practice squad to serve as the backup. 

The Steelers, who have started the season 0-2, also acquired safety Minkah Fitzpatrick in a deal with the Dolphins on Tuesday. 

 

E.Jay Zarett