Here’s a sentence I never thought I’d write: “Tonight, Dennis Dixon gets the start at quarterback for the Steelers, backed up by Tyler Palko and then by Ben Roethlisberger.”
But it’s real, and it’s not some Hanratty-Bradshaw-Gilliam nightmare for Steelers fans. Due to a concussion, Roethlisberger is the third quarterback. And due to a wrist injury, Charlie Batch is also inactive.
Per our friends at NBC, the other inactives are safety Troy Polamalu, cornerback Keenan Lewis, guard Kraig Urbik, guard Chris Kemoeatu, defensive end Ra’Shon Harris, and defensive end Nick Eason.
For the Ravens, defensive end Terrell Suggs, fullback Charles Ali, cornerback Cary Williams, linebacker Antwan Barnes, tackle Oniel Cousins, offensive lineman Tony Moll, and nose tackle Kelly Talavou are inactive. Quarterback John Beck is the emergency quarterback.
The game starts at 8:30 p.m. ET on NBC. I’ll be doing a live chat on Sunday Night Football Extra at NBCSports.com.