RAIDERS VOICE: NFL Football 2012 Week 3 - Steelers vs. Raiders

RAIDERS VOICE: NFL Football 2012 Week 3 - Steelers vs. Raiders

RB Mendenhall ready to return for Steelers

By CHRIS ADAMSKI (Associated Press) | The Associated Press

PITTSBURGH (AP) -- Insisting he feels well with no setbacks after a full week of practice, running back Rashard Mendenhall is set to return for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Because of an Achilles injury, Mendenhall has missed all four games of a winning streak that the Steelers (6-3) carry into their Sunday showdown with the Baltimore Ravens (7-2).

Mendenhall had not been through a full practice in more than a month, but made it through complete workouts Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. He is officially listed as probable.

''He looks like he's back to his old form,'' running back Isaac Redman said. ''He's making all the cuts, it looks like he has his burst. So he looks good.''

With former 1,200-yard rusher Mendenhall back, the Steelers have to decide how to split carries between he, Redman and Jonathan Dwyer. Redman and Dwyer each had 100-yard rushing games while Mendenhall was out.

''All three of us are going to play,'' Redman said. ''And we're just going to keep it rolling throughout the game and try to keep a fresh running back in there at all times. We're going to try to pound them.''

With Mendenhall unavailable to play the first three games of the season because of his recovery from a torn ACL sustained Jan. 1, the Steelers running game struggled. Pittsburgh averaged 65 rushing yards per game in starting 1-2.

Since Mendenhall returned with a 68-yard performance in a win over Philadelphia Oct. 7 - to that point, the most yards by a Pittsburgh back this season - the Steelers have improved their NFL ranking in rushing yards from 31st to 20th.

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Steelers rally past Giants 24-20

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders (88) celebrates after catching a pass for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

By BARRY WILNER (AP Pro Football Writer)

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -- Sometimes, real life intrudes on the games we play. And sometimes, we need those games to get away from real life.

In the wake of Superstorm Sandy and the destruction it brought to the Northeast, everyone on the Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Giants understood that.

''There are so many bigger things going on around here that what we do is not as important as real life,'' Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said Sunday after throwing for two touchdowns in a 24-20 comeback victory.

''My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone else who are going through so much. There were so many emotions going on, I didn't know what to expect from it. But maybe we were able to take their minds off their problems just a little.''

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