Pittsburgh Steelers rely on RBs Isaac Redman, Jonathan Dwyer as Rashard Mendenhall doubtful – NFL News
Everyone is taken by surprise by the Pittsburgh Steelers’ listing of running back Rashard Mendenhall as doubtful for the season opener against the Denver Broncos at a time when the player appeared to be hundred percent and game punters considered him as
definite for Sunday’s game.
Rashard returned to full practice without any protection having recovered from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury he had suffered about nine months ago, and the team’s decision to leave him as doubtful seems less justified when the player and also
the team boasted his fitness.
Some commentators note that nine months is a substantial amount of time for a player to regain full fitness and form and are baffled at the listing when the running back is readily available.
This is the second surprise announcement from the Steelers as earlier their doubts about linebacker James Harrison’s fitness surprised everyone in the backdrop of the player’s removal from the physically unable to perform (PUP) list last week.
His ousting, however, may be understandable in a sense that he has missed last three consecutive practice sessions and even when the team took him off the PUP list, he did not look hundred percent.
Rashard, on the other hand, appeared to be ready and fit for the weekend game and no one had expected him to be left out possibly for a game-time decision or left out altogether. Apparently, coach Mike Tomlin or any official from the front office has not
given any reason about the delay in Rashard’s availability.
He is a crucial member of their offence and the uncertainty about him just before the weekend game does not bode well with their hopes of a win over the Broncos, who are one of the few strongest units at all positions.
The Broncos have especially strengthened their offensive line, thanks to the arrival of former Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning and some other notable players.
Running backs Jonathan Dwyer and Isaac Redman probably will be accepting extra workload in absence of Mendenhall. Both players have played well in the Steelers’ wins in the past and will be crucial to their hopes of a win on Sunday with or without Mendenhall
in the squad.
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