PITTSBURGH (Nov. 8, 2005) -- Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger won't play for the second week in a row as he recovers from arthroscopic knee surgery.
Charlie Batch, who made his first start in four years in a 20-10 victory Nov. 6 in Green Bay, will go again Nov. 13 against the Cleveland Browns in Pittsburgh.
After Roethlisberger had surgery last week to remove damaged cartilage from his right knee, coach Bill Cowher said he would be out 10 to 14 days, but might return as early as this week.
Batch was 9 of 16 for 65 yards and was intercepted once against the Packers after previously throwing only eight passes since joining the Steelers in 2002.
Batch moved up from No. 3 on the depth chart after former starter Tommy Maddox threw three interceptions and lost a fumble in a 23-17 overtime loss to Jacksonville on Oct. 16, when Roethlisberger was out with an injured left knee. Maddox did not play against Green Bay.
Cowher said that Batch managed the offense well against the Packers, but the Steelers must throw the ball better against the Browns (3-5). The Steelers (6-2) were outgained 268-213 despite outrushing the Packers 154-65.
