The Pittsburgh Steelers placed quarterback Dennis Dixon on injured reserve Saturday, ending a season in which he hoped to be a four-game starter.
Dixon opened 2010 as the Steelers' temporary replacement for Ben Roethlisberger, who is currently serving a four-week suspension, but he injured his knee in Week 2 against the Tennessee Titans.
Veteran quarterback Charlie Batch has filled in well since Dixon's injury, throwing for 186 yards and three touchdowns with two interceptions in last week's 38-13 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
With Dixon's season over, the Steelers are likely to keep Batch and quarterback Byron Leftwich on the active roster when Roethlisberger returns from his suspension next week.
