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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Tonite We aren't The Titans

I believe the Titans and chris Henry have the determination to get a bittersweet beatdown  tonight in Pittsburgh on Thursday Night Football.  I have the Steelers (-) against the spread showing that they had a hiccup, but bouncing back with their second win in a row.  Roethlisberger will have a mediocre statistical output, but watch for mendenhall to take a few the distance and put the Steelers in some good company!

SportsXchange tells of returning Steelers

The SportsXchange reports:

Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin expects linebacker James Harrison and safety Troy Polamalu to play Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles barring any setbacks.

Tomlin also indicated that running back Rashard Mendenhall (knee) could be back on the field Sunday, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported. Mendenhall has not played this season after suffering an ACL tear last year.
Harrison (knee) went through a full practice Monday. He did so last Tuesday but had a "little setback" and skipped Wednesday's practice. He has not played yet this season.

Polamalu (calf) went through a third straight practice Monday after missing the past two games.
Tomlin anticipates that Mendenhall will practice this week but didn't say whether he'd start or how much playing time he would get Sunday. The Steelers have used Isaac Redman and Jonathan Dwyer in the backfield.

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Peyton and the Broncos defeat Steelers in Season Opener

The Pittsburgh Steelers played a great game tonight, with the only negative to come out of this match-up, was it's result. A "L," starts the season off on the wrong foot at 0-1.

The officiating crew for the first Sunday Night Football game of the 2012 regular season was noticeable, however the blunders didn't help either team, because both the Steelers and the Broncos could have won the game in the final five minutes.

Tonight was Peyton Manning's first game in nearly a year and a half, and he looked good for his age. His accuracy is still present, and mobility didn't seem to be a factor. All in all, Peyton played the better game between him and Ben Roethlisberger, who finished the Steelers chance of winning when his pass was picked off by Tracy Porter, who took it 43 yards yards to put the game-sealing TD up on the scoreboard.

The final stats Ben Roethlisberger posted was 22 of 40 for 245 yards and two TDs.

The Steelers will definately bounce back in week 2.

Steelers Isaac Redman Will Start Sunday Vs. Denver

Steelers Isaac Redman Will Start Sunday Vs. Denver
ESPN is reporting RB Isaac Redman will get the start in Week 1 at the Denver Broncos.

Timothy T. Ludwig-US PRESSWIRE



Redman accounted for the bulk of the offense against Denver in a playoff loss there last year, racking up 121 yards in his first career playoff start.

It's not a shock to learn of that news, but it does quell some speculation that perhaps Jonathan Dwyer would get the nod over Redman. It's still likely the duo share carries, with neither one being used substantially more than the other.

There was some speculation this week around the possibility of RB Rashard Mendenhall being activated for this game. There isn't official word that he's been ruled out yet, but he is listed as doubtful on the injury report, meaning it's highly likely he won't play.

That will mean the Steelers will carry with them four running backs - Redman, Dwyer, Chris Rainey and Baron Batch, who's listed as probable on the injury report. He missed Thursday's practice with a groin injury, but had a full practice on Friday.