Pittsburgh, PA (Sports Network) - The Pittsburgh Steelers officially shut down three players on Wednesday, placing tight end Heath Miller, cornerback Ike Taylor and running back Baron Batch on injured reserve.
The team announced Monday that Miller will need surgery to repair an anterior cruciate ligament and medial collateral ligament injury, and also possibly injured his posterior cruciate ligament in Sunday's loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, which eliminated the Steelers from playoff contention.
Miller finished the season with 71 catches for a career-high 816 yards and eight touchdowns.
Taylor suffered a right ankle injury during a Week 13 win over Baltimore and hadn't taken the field since. The setback ended his streak of 135 games played. A Louisiana-Lafayette product, Taylor ended with 32 tackles and one interception in 12 games.
Batch suffered a fractured arm in Sunday's loss. The Texas Tech product concluded the year with 49 yards and one touchdown on 25 carries, adding four receptions for 31 yards.
To fill the roster spots, the Steelers signed tight end Jamie McCoy, safety Damon Cromartie-Smith and linebacker Marshall McFadden.
In addition, defensive back Walter McFadden and wide receiver Bert Reed were signed to the practice squad.
