Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin made the football jerseys
announcement Monday after Dixon, a dual threat as a passer and runner, worked with the first team in practice. Pittsburgh's only other available quarterback is 13-year veteran Charlie Batch.
Roethlisberger is suspended the first four games. His anticipated replacement, Byron Leftwich, is sidelined by a knee sprain sustained last week in Pittsburgh's final preseason game.
This preseason, Dixon was Pittsburgh's busiest quarterback, completing 23 of 32 for 327 yards and two TDs with two INTs. Both of his interceptions came in a preseason loss to the Denver Broncos, and one was returned 77 yards for a touchdown.
"Dennis has had a very productive preseason and training camp," said Tomlin. "He went into the training camp … as a young guy second in the pecking order, if you will, behind Byron Leftwich. He did a nice job. He made it extremely competitive. He wedged himself into a battle … and got Dallas Cowboys jersey
some first-team reps in some preseason games.
"Largely, we've been very impressed with how he's handled himself and the situation."
Dixon, a fifth-round draft pick in 2008 from Oregon, made his only previous NFL start last Nov. 29 at the Baltimore Ravens while Roethlisberger was sidelined with a concussion.
In that game, Dixon threw a 33-yard touchdown pass to Santonio Holmes in the second quarter and ran 24 yards for a fourth-quarter TD that gave Pittsburgh a 17-14 lead.
The Ravens sent the game into overtime. On Pittsburgh's second series of the extra period, Dixon's pass was intercepted by Ravens linebacker Paul Kruger and returned 26 yards to set up the winning field goal in a 20-17 Baltimore victory.
Tomlin said Leftwich continues to recover from a knee sprain. Indianapolis Colts jersey
The coach did not say Leftwich was definitely out Sunday. "It's extremely early in the week … but I feel comfortable categorizing him as doubtful at this point," said Tomlin.
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