Josh Dobbs Will Play Role From IR

Can the Pittsburgh Steelers utilize their fourth quarterback while he's on IR?

PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers likely weren't going to keep four quarterbacks on the roster this season, which would've left Josh Dobbs as the lone man out come cuts. 

Instead, a toe injury will sideline him for at least the next three weeks after the team placed him on Injured Reserve to start the season. 

It's hard to contribute much to a football team from IR, but Dobbs's situation might be different. As a player whose best attribute is his intelligence, Dobbs has played an extra set of eyes on the sideline before - and could do it again this season. 

"He'll be around here as he's able to be," offensive coordinator Matt Canada said on the QB's role. "When he's around, we're always going to enjoy that because he's a great resource of knowledge and just a great team guy."

In the past, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has mentioned the football IQ Dobbs brings to the sideline. Last season, the two even began selecting plays together they believed would work. This season could be the same.

"Yeah, obviously, a really tough situation with him getting hurt," Canada said. "He came out and he's played well and was playing well last week. Had a big run there. Just an unfortunate situation for him that occurred, but obviously, because of that, he has to do what he has to do."

It might not be the season Dobbs was hoping for, but it could be the best-case scenario for the Steelers' offense. Not only do they get to keep all four quarterbacks, for the time being, but Big Ben gets his extra pair of eyes - and the Steelers plan on utilizing them.

Noah Strackbein is a Publisher with AllSteelers. Follow Noah on Twitter @NoahStrack, and AllSteelers @si_steelers.

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