QB Dixon working with Steelers’ starters

Quarterback Dennis Dixon(notes) will start for the Pittsburgh Steelers in their season opener Sunday against Atlanta.

Coach Mike Tomlin chose the third-year player Monday over longtime backup Charlie Batch(notes). Dixon and Batch are the lone two healthy quarterbacks eligible to play. Ben Roethlisberger(notes) is serving his four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy, while Byron Leftwich(notes) is out indefinitely with a sprained left knee ligament.

Dixon has started one NFL game, an overtime loss in Baltimore last season in which he threw for a touchdown and run for another.