In light of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's recent injury troubles (he currently has a sprained ankle), the Pittsburgh Steelers are preparing for the possibility of activating third QB Dennis Dixon for the team's upcoming Monday-night game against the San Francisco 49ers.
"Obviously, if we go into this game with Ben less than 100 percent, three quarterbacks is a potential option," Tomlin said. "We'll get all our quarterbacks ready. If he's going to play, he's going to practice.
"As we get closer to situational football, everyone who's going to be a participant needs reps. Right now, we're trying to get him as healthy as possible on a day-to-day basis."
The odds of Dixon actually seeing the field are remote, so this news really isn't about him. And there probably isn't much reason for Steelers fans to worry about Roethlisberger, either. He gutted his way through the second half of the Steelers' last game against the Cleveland Browns on only one leg, and with a long week to recover, he should be able to do it again. The Steelers are just being careful here - during the Cleveland game, backup Charlie Batch briefly took the field, and it wasn't clear if Roethlisberger would return. At that point, Dixon wasn't active, so the Steelers' backup quarterback was actually Hines Ward. Gulp.
For more on the Steelers, check out Behind The Steel Curtain.