Wow. How horrible could this be for the Steelers if it’s true? Paging Dennis Dixon anyone? From PFT:

Despite several days of optimism regarding the availability of Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger for Sunday night’s game against the Ravens, Roethlisberger will not play, according to Jay Glazer of FOX, via Twitter.

Glazer reports that Roethlisberger has been suffering from exercise-induced headaches. Thus, the team has decided to shut him down.

For those who don’t know, Charlie Batch is also out for the game, so the defending champs will be going with Dennis Dixon at quarterback.

Pittsburgh is 6-4, and in second place in an extremely tough AFC North. Baltimore is just a game behind them, and the Bengals are in the driver’s seat at 7-3.

There is a bigger issue here than just this game though. Roethlisberger is starting to profile like Steve Young or Troy Aikman. He’s had so many concussions over the last few years that people have to start being concerned for the health of his brain. As good as Ben is, he is going to have to shut it down at a very young age if this continues.

As much as this may hurt the Steelers this week, it’s the right call.

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• FOXSports.com: Ben Roethlisberger Will Not Play Against Baltimore Ravens (bleacherreport.com)
• Big Ben still feeling concussion, likely out Sun. (cbssports.com)
• Source: Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger to sit Sunday against Baltimore Ravens (sports.espn.go.com)