Charlie Batch is tentatively expected to start against the Rams in Week 16. Ben Roethlisberger (ankle) is officially a game-time decision, but all of the Steelers beat writers expect him to sit out for a week -- along with C Maurkice Pouncey, OLB LaMarr Woodley, and WR Emmanuel Sanders. With Batch at the helm, Mike Wallace and Antonio Brown go from must-start to borderline WR3 status.

Steelers OC Bruce Arians indicated that Dennis Dixon would only play in the event of a Charlie Batch injury if Ben Roethlisberger (ankle) sits out on Monday. As hard as it may to believe, Arians insists the Steelers won't change the offense if Batch starts. Arians acknowledges that a decision on Big Ben could come down to pregame warmups on Monday night. Roethlisberger revealed Thursday that the ankle is actually more painful right now than it was a week ago. For what it's worth, SI.com's Peter King is still predicting that Roethlisberger will not play this week.

The Steelers will start Charlie Batch against the 49ers on Monday night if Ben Roethlisberger (ankle) can't go. Dennis Dixon will pick up extra snaps this week, too, in case of emergency. Coach Mike Tomlin considers Roethlisberger and C Maurkice Pouncey (ankle) "questionable" at this point. We'd be surprised if Batch ends up starting, but Mike Wallace and Antonio Brown take big hits if he does.

Charlie Batch locked up the backup job Thursday night by completing 6-of-8 passes for 59 yards in two series. Batch should have had a touchdown as well but Mike Wallace fumbled while going into the end zone. Dennis Dixon will be the No. 3 quarterback behind starter Ben Roethlisberger.

Charlie Batch is the "likely candidate" to be the Steelers' backup quarterback, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Coach Mike Tomlin said that Dennis Dixon will get a chance to fight for the job this week and a final decision will be made after Thursday's preseason game. But Dixon was reportedly on the trade block earlier this month as he had fallen behind Batch on the depth chart. Batch went 3-1 as a starter during Ben Roethlisberger's suspension last season.