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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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.

Eagles-Steelers Preview

By BRETT HUSTON (STATS Editor) | The Associated Press

As fortunate as they may have seemed at the time, it's hard to argue with the Philadelphia Eagles' results so far.

The Pittsburgh Steelers would be happy to settle for winning ugly.

The Steelers should get Troy Polamalu, James Harrison and Rashard Mendenhall back as they look to avoid falling in a 1-3 hole Sunday against the visiting Eagles.

Philadelphia (3-1) has been outscored by 17 points through four games, but it has a pair of one-point wins and a two-point victory to thank for its winning record. It's trailed at the two-minute warning of the fourth quarter in all three wins.

The Steelers, meanwhile, have blown fourth-quarter leads in both of their defeats, watching a 10-point cushion disappear in a 34-31 overtime loss in Oakland on Sept. 23 before a bye week.

"There's no panic in here," quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said. "It's still a marathon, but we need to get a win."

They'll have some help Sunday as they try to avoid falling to 1-3 for the first time since 2006 - their last non-winning season. Polamalu, who's missed the last two games with a strained calf, and Harrison, who's yet to play due to a lingering left knee problem, are expected to return to a defense that's produced five sacks and allowed opponents to convert 48.5 percent of third downs - both among the league's four worst.

Having two former Defensive Players of the Year back should help, but to safety Ryan Clark, their additions mean little if the defense can't produce.

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I think that the Pittsburgh Steelers will come out of this game as the victor, my guess is that they beat the Eagles 24-21
- - Oh Zee