The Steelers aren't planning to put QB Charlie Batch (wrist) on injured reserve, but he will be out 2-4 weeks, according to head coach Mike Tomlin. That necessitates second-year pro Dennis Dixon sliding into the top backup's role behind Ben Roethlisberger, who suffered his first major injury scare of the season in Week 11 — a mild concussion. Although Roethlisberger practiced throughout the past week, reports on Saturday indicated he might miss the Week 12 game at Baltimore due to recurring headaches, which would catapult Dixon into the starter's role. Dixon has thrown one regular-season pass in two seasons. The way we hear it, Dixon has flashed potential at points of his Steelers career, but there's some sentiment he hasn't quite developed as much as had been hoped. Signed through 2010, Dixon could conceivably become the Steelers' No. 2 quarterback next season if the club doesn't re-sign Batch, who turns 35 on Dec. 5 and comes with major durability concerns. He missed all of the 2008 season with a broken collarbone, and he sustained the broken left wrist in his first game action of the '09 season.

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