Steelers’ Dixon has bad outing
Steelers quarterback Dennis Dixon got his first significant playing time with the starters in visiting Pittsburgh’s 34-17 preseason loss to Denver on Sunday, and didn’t make a good impression.
Dixon, expected to be Byron Leftwich’s backup when the season starts and Ben Roethlisberger’s suspension begins, threw two costly interceptions.
Rookie cornerback Perrish Cox picked off the first one in the end zone, and Andre’ Goodman returned Dixon’s second interception 77 yards for a touchdown with 11 seconds left in the second quarter that gave Denver a 17-3 halftime lead. Dixon finished 9 of 16 for 94 yards.
Rookie Tim Tebow made his home debut for Denver. Although Tebow saved a touchdown with a tackle at the 5 on Crezdon Butler’s 40-yard interception return, Jonathan Dwyer (89 yards on 13 carries) took it in from there to cut it to 20-10 in the fourth quarter.
Tebow quickly atoned, driving Denver 74 yards in five plays, capped by a 3-yard TD strike to fellow rookie Eric Decker.
McNabb may miss opener
Mike Shanahan says he’s not certain that Donovan McNabb will be available for the Washington Redskins’ season opener against the Dallas Cowboys.
“I really don’t know for sure,” Shanahan said Sunday. “That’s why it’s day by day. We’ll see how it goes.”
McNabb hasn’t practiced since spraining his left ankle in the second preseason game against Baltimore. He sat out Friday’s game against the New York Jets and watched Sunday’s practice from the sidelines.
Vikings’ Harvin feels good after preseason debut
Percy Harvin’s migraine headaches have been a riddle that no one has been able to solve.
After another battery of tests last week, and a promising 2010 preseason debut, Harvin hopes he is getting closer to figuring out a debilitating medical condition that has plagued him for most of his life.
The Minnesota Vikings receiver had two catches for 30 yards and took two big shots to the head Saturday night in a preseason victory over Seattle, the first time he’s played this year after being stricken by migraines for most of training camp.
“I felt great,” Harvin said after the game.
Extra points
The Jets released Laveranues Coles, a move that likely signals the end of the wide receiver’s career. Coles, 32, had four catches for 19 yards in three preseason games. … Wide receiver Antonio Bryant was released by the Bengals, who signed him to a four-year, $28 million deal in March. … Raiders running back Michael Bush will undergo surgery today on his broken left thumb, but he could return for the season opener Sept. 12. … Jets outside linebacker Calvin Pace will miss a few weeks with a broken right foot, meaning New York’s top pass rusher could be sidelined for at least the first game of the regular season.