Roethlisberger Gets Four Games, Leftwich Sprains MCL, Dixon Expected to Start

A recap of the muddled Steeler QB situation as it sits mid-day on Friday:

-Ben Roethlisberger's suspension was officially cut from six games to four by Roger Goodell, as reported by the NFLN's Jason La Canfora. Roethlisberger will be back for the Cleveland game on October 17. No surprises there. 

The NFL released the following statement on the matter:

Commissioner Goodell met with Ben Roethlisberger today and notified him that his suspension has been reduced to the Steelers’ first four regular-season games. The reinstatement is contingent on Roethlisberger continuing to adhere to the program established by our advisors and avoiding any further violations of the Personal Conduct Policy. During the suspension, Roethlisberger cannot be at the team’s practice facility, attend games, represent the club publicly in any way, have contact with any member of the coaching staff or other football operations personnel, or engage in any team football-related activities or discussions with teammates away from team facilities.

“You have told me and the Steelers that you are committed to making better decisions,” Commissioner Goodell said in a letter to Roethlisberger. “Your actions over the past several months have been consistent with that promise and you must continue to honor that commitment.”

-Roethlisberger's suspension kicks in on Friday; he will be working out with California-based quarterbacks coach George Whitfield, throwing to free-agent wide receivers. 

-Byron Leftwich does not have a torn MCL, but he does have a second-degree sprain. Leftwich told the Steelers initially that he wanted to avoid surgery and believed he could still start against the Atlanta Falcons a week from Sunday, but a team source termed that possibility as "not likely," according to ESPN's Chris Mortensen.

-Dennis Dixon is expected to be the opening-day starter against Atlanta, according to Mortensen. Charlie Batch will now hang around as the only other healthy, eligible QB on the roster.

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