It took some time, but the Pittsburgh Steelers are finally warming up to third-year quarterback Dennis Dixon.

Dixon After playing the backup role the past several months, Dixon is sharing first-team practice reps with the Steelers this week, a source told ESPN.com's AFC North blog.

This is the first time Dixon is getting work with the starters since Pittsburgh reported to training camp last month, and it could be a prelude to Dixon sharing playing time with the first team at some point in the final two preseason games. Pittsburgh will travel to play the Denver Broncos Sunday night at 8 p.m. ET.

With franchise quarterback Ben Roethlisberger serving a conditional six-game suspension for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy, the Steelers are in a unique position of trying to find a starter to open the 2010 season.

There has been speculation of whether Pittsburgh's quarterback competition was truly "open," because Byron Leftwich and Roethlisberger dominated the first-team reps in training camp and the preseason. Leftwich started Pittsburgh's preseason opener against the Detroit Lions, and Roethlisberger started last week against the New York Giants.

It is not known if Dixon will start the third preseason game. But sharing practice reps with the first-team offense is a sign that he's at least a factor in Pittsburgh's quarterback race.

Dixon earned consideration by playing lights out so far this preseason, completing 13 of 15 passes for 210 yards in limited playing time. He has one career start, which was an overtime loss last year to the Baltimore Ravens.

Update: Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said Dixon will get time with the starters this week, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported.

"I intend to give Dennis Dixon some looks with the first group against some good people," Tomlin said. "I think he's earned that likewise. And that's what this preseason is all about."