The Steelers have placed quarterback Ben Roethlisberger on injured reserve and promoted quarterback Devlin Hodges from the practice squad to the active roster.
Roethlisberger is expected to undergo season-ending surgery later this week after leaving Sunday’s 28-26 loss to the Seattle Seahawks with an elbow injury.
Hodges, 23, was signed to the practice squad last week after the Steelers traded third-string quarterback Josh Dobbs to the Jacksonville Jaguars for a fifth-round draft pick.
An FCS All-American at Samford, Hodges joined the Steelers this May on a tryout basis at rookie camp. He earned a spot on the 90-man roster there and a strong preseason put him in contention for a roster spot. In four games, he went 20 for 38 for 190 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.
Hodges was part of the last round of cuts and then called back to the practice squad one week later.
Mason Rudolph will start in Roethlisberger’s absence. Hodges’ promotion suggests he will serve as backup this Sunday at San Francisco.