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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Big Ben out with concussion

Associated Press

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will miss tonight’s game at Baltimore because of a concussion, a development that forces inexperienced Dennis Dixon to start one of the Super Bowl champions’ biggest games this season.

Dixon, the former Oregon star, has spent most of the season as the No. 3 quarterback, running the Steelers’ scout team during practice. He has thrown only one NFL pass in two seasons, but must play because both Roethlisberger and backup Charlie Batch were hurt during a 27-24 overtime loss at Kansas City last week.

Roethlisberger practiced all week despite sustaining his fourth concussion since 2006. On Thursday, during his only interview of the week, he said he had been cleared to play, joking he passed “thousands of tests.”

Roethlisberger, however, experienced headaches resulting from the concussion – his head struck the knee of Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson as he leaned headfirst during a running play in overtime – and he began debating the wisdom of playing after consulting with the team’s medical staff.

The Steelers decided Saturday that Roethlisberger will play only in an emergency. He will be the No. 3 quarterback, with former Pitt starter Tyler Palko – who was signed only Thursday and doesn’t know the offense – as Dixon’s backup.

The Steelers (6-4), losers of their last two and a game behind Cincinnati (7-3) in the AFC North, were so convinced Roethlisberger would play, they did not sign an experienced quarterback even after Batch broke his left wrist a few plays after replacing Roethlisberger on Sunday. Their game plan for the Ravens (5-5) also was built around Roethlisberger playing.

The Steelers likely will rely mostly on running backs Rashard Mendenhall and Willie Parker and limit the amount of throws Dixon makes. Dixon was an excellent runner in Oregon’s spread offense, but the Steelers – like every NFL team – don’t want their quarterback running consistently because of the risk of injury.

Dixon’s only game action came in a mop-up role against Cleveland in the final game of last season, after Roethlisberger also received a concussion. Dixon will be the most inexperienced Steelers quarterback to be thrown into a starting role since rookie Mike Kruczek replaced the injured Terry Bradshaw in 1976. Kruczek went 6-0 as a starter despite not throwing a single touchdown pass, and ended his five-season NFL career in 1980 without throwing a scoring pass.

Colts DE Freeney to miss today’s game: Indianapolis defensive end Dwight Freeney will miss today’s game against the Houston Texans.

Freeney was out of practice all week with an abdomen injury.

Coach Jim Caldwell said Wednesday he wasn’t uncertain if Freeney could play. The Colts, who have won 19 consecutive regular-season games, added depth this week by re-signing DE Josh Thomas.

With Freeney out, the Colts are likely to start versatile defensive lineman Raheem Brock in Freeney’s spot. Indy (10-0) can clinch the AFC South title with a win and a Jacksonville loss.