Roethlisberger Might Start Week 3 Preseason Game, But Dennis Dixon Will Get First-Team Reps

The Pittsburgh Steelers have yet to name a starter at quarterback for the first week of the regular season, but it doesn’t look like the player they start week three will be in the mix.

While most teams are looking to give their week one starters their last meaningful playing time this week, the Steelers plan to start suspended quarterback Ben Roethlisberger according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Roethlisberger might not be in as long as most starters, though, because second-year pro Dennis Dixon has been impressive in practice.

“I intend to give Dennis Dixon some looks with the first group against some good people,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. “I think he’s earned that likewise. And that’s what this preseason is all about.”

This doesn’t mean that Dixon will be the week one starter over Byron Leftwich, but it does seem to indicate that the starting battle is rather close right now.