Quarterback Byron Leftwich re-signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday -- and just in time.
Dennis Dixon, the Steelers' starting quarterback while Ben Roethlisberger serves a four-game suspension, has a torn lateral meniscus in his left knee and could be out three to five weeks, a source close to the situation told the *Pittsburgh Post-Gazette*.
Now Leftwich, who was released Saturday so the Steelers could add defensive line depth, might start this Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who traded him back to Pittsburgh this offseason. Leftwich was expected to start throughout Roethlisberger's four-game suspension, only to sprain his left knee during the Steelers' preseason finale Sept. 2.
Leftwich hasn't played since. However, he knows Pittsburgh's offense since he was Roethlisberger's backup during the 2008 Super Bowl championship season.
Steve McLendon, the lineman activated by the Steelers, had a fumble recovery against the Titans, but he was released Monday so Leftwich could return.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
