On Tuesday the Pittsburgh Steelers waived linebacker Marshall McFadden and running back Baron Batch to make room on the 53 man roster for wide receiver Plaxico Burress and quarterback Brian Hoyer. On Wednesday both McFadden and Batch cleared waivers and were signed to the practice squad.
To make room on the practice squad for the two players the team released guard Ryan Lee and tight end Jamie McCoy.
Batch wound up being eligible for the practice squad because his accrued season that he earned on inured reserve last year did not include him being on the active roster for any games, yet alone the maximum of 9. Batch had been active for the first 10 games of this season, but will not get credit for the season being accrued until after it is over. This is where the confusion of the practice squad eligibility came into play with him. After this season Batch will no longer be practice squad eligible.
The release of Lee from the practice squad was likely because rookie guard David DeCastro started back practicing this week. After the team returns to health he might be brought back if still unsigned. Lee had a solid preseason at left guard for the Steelers, albeit with the third team, and had been on the practice squad since the start of the season.
McCoy has bounced on and off the practice squad since the start of the season.
