Pittsburgh, PA (Sportsbooks) - Willie Reid and Eddie Drummond, both of whom were contending for return specialist duties, were among the noteworthy players released when the
Pittsburgh Steelers reduced their roster to the 53- player maximum on Saturday. The team also placed quarterback Charlie Batch on injured reserve.
Reid appeared in six games as a member of the Steelers last season, but the third-round pick in the 2006 Draft was unable to break through to a bigger role.
Drummond, a Pro Bowler with the Detroit Lions in 2004, was given an opportunity on both punt and kickoff returns during the preseason, but failed to recapture any of his former magic.
Batch's placement on injured reserve will end his season, unless the team is able to reach an injury settlement with the veteran which would include his release. Batch, who broke his collarbone in the team's first preseason game, appeared in 23 games as a member of the Steelers from 2003 through 2007, including four starts over that span.
Also released by Pittsburgh on Saturday were linebacker Patrick Bailey, punter Paul Ernster, fullback Billy Latsko, guard Doug Legursky, guard Matt Lentz, cornerback Roy Lewis, safety Grant Mason, defensive end Ryan McBean, tackle Jeremy Parquet, defensive tackle Scott Paxson, defensive end Jordan Reffett, wide receiver Micah Rucker, tight end Dezmond Sherrod, tight end Lee Vickers, running back Justin Vincent and cornerback Travis Williams.
Notables among that group include Ernster, who lost a battle with veteran Mitch Berger for punting duties; and Mason and McBean, both of whom spent time on Pittsburgh's active roster last season.
In other moves, the Steelers waived/injured linebackers Arnold Harrison (knee) and Mike Humpal (neck), as well as safety Ryan Mundy (ankle). Harrison played in 20 games with the Steelers in 2006-2006, while Humpal and Mundy were sixth- round choices in the 2008 Draft.
The Steelers will open their regular season on Sept. 7th, when they host Houston.
