Rashard Mendenhall set for first contact practice

[polamalubeast]

It's not uncommon in the NFL for a starting running back go down to injury only to have his reserve step into the spotlight and make a name for himself.

We're seeing this with the Buffalo Bills, for whom C.J. Spiller is mounting a handsome Wally Pipp campaign in Fred Jackson's stead.

The same cannot be said in the Steel City, where the Pittsburgh Steelers have struggled to find a suitable replacement for Rashard Mendenhall. According to Scout.com, the Steelers are 30th in the NFL in both overall rushing yardage (141) and average yards per carry (2.6) through two weeks.

Fortunately, Mendenhall continues to make progress, now eight months removed from surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said Mendenhall will participate in contact practice for the first time this week.

"We'll thud him up a little bit the day we're allowed to carry our pads," Tomlin said Tuesday, referring to a practice in which players hit each other, but remain on their feet.

The Steelers are dealing with yet another backfield injury following Sunday's 27-10 win over the New York Jets. Jonathan Dwyer has landed on the injury list with turf toe. Tomlin said Dwyer is limited, but could still be available in Week 3 against the Oakland Raiders.



http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000063695/article/rashard-mendenhall-set-for-first-contact-practice?module=HP11_headline_stack

[Moose]

Turf toe ? Are you kidding me ? What the hell is it with these players .... geesh. Come on Mendenhall !

[HollywoodSteel]

Okay, comparing C.J. Spiller to our back-ups and to Wally Pipp is a bit much. Spiller was a 1st round pick and the first RB taken in his draft class. That dude was meant to be a starter. It just so happens they have another really good RB on that team, but Spiller was always meant to at least split time with him until he became the featured back.

[st33lersguy]

At this point, with the way Redman and Dwyer have looked, we don't need Mendenhall. Those two run with more authority anyway

[steelerdude15]

I'm glad to hear this. I'm looking forward to seeing how he plays with a new playbook. It would make sense to just keep him out till after the bye week for his health along with Troy and James.

[polamalubeast]

Rashard Mendenhall said it is possible that he can play Sunday against the Raiders.

https://twitter.com/MarkKaboly_Trib/status/248512318906966017

[fansince'76]

At this point, with the way Redman and Dwyer have looked, we don't need Mendenhall. Those two run with more authority anyway

Guess that explains why we averaged 4.4 YPC last year with Mendenhall as the primary back as opposed to an anemic 2.8 YPC so far this year with virtually the same shitty OL...

[steelreserve]

Guess that explains why we averaged 4.4 YPC last year with Mendenhall as the primary back as opposed to an anemic 2.8 YPC so far this year with virtually the same shitty OL...

No, this is obviously Arians' fault.

[steelers_switzerland]

er don't need mendenhall? are you kidding me? only because redman is a power back? he is not the Bus and back then we had an O-Line. Now we need Mendenhall.

[polamalubeast]

At this point, with the way Redman and Dwyer have looked, we don't need Mendenhall. Those two run with more authority anyway


http://espn.go.com/nfl/statistics/team/_/stat/rushing/sort/rushingYardsPerGame

[steeldevil]

At this point, with the way Redman and Dwyer have looked, we don't need Mendenhall. Those two run with more authority anyway

I can't even comprehend how your brain formulated this thought... And that you didn't realize how dumb it is before you typed it...

[polamalubeast]

Jamison Hensley (ESPN): Never a big Mendenhall fan. He really ran timid last year. Mendenhall showed no patience for holes to open inside and wanted to bounce everything to the outside. The Steelers' best option, in my opinion, is Jonathan Dwyer. But this is a position that the Steelers need to address next offseason.

http://espn.go.com/blog/afcnorth/post/_/id/54901/chat-rewind-wheres-ray-rice

[Psycho Ward 86]

At this point, with the way Redman and Dwyer have looked, we don't need Mendenhall. Those two run with more authority anyway

what are you on

[steelers_switzerland]

mendenhall had back to back 1000 yard seasons and was about to post another until he got hurt. and all that with Ben throwing a lot and (yes gotta say it) Arians. Yes sometimes last year Mendy tried to do too much but i got faith in Haley. Mendy will be just fine.