RB Rashard Mendenhall’s injury: Pittsburgh Steelers’ RB Isaac Redman ready to embrace additional role
Running back, Isaac Redman, has shown preparedness for taking the leading role next season in place of Pittsburgh Steelers’ experienced RB, Rashard Mendenhall, who is out of the side indefinitely due to a knee injury.
It will be a remarkable achievement for Redman, dubbed ‘red zone’, who had a miserable rookie year, unable to even get coach, Mike Tomlin, remember his name, let alone attracting attention to his form and performance, which was far below average.
Even more frustrating was the way the player had been received back in his hometown while returning from his rookie season. Hardly anyone seemed to be interested in having even a casual look at him.
Now things have changed, he said. People are treating him in a different, better manner.
He said:
"I get a lot different treatment now when I'm home than I did when I was on the practice squad."
Most importantly, he has gained confidence and form, to the extent that the coach is set to give him extra responsibilities at the starting position at Mendenhall’s place.
Although Mendenhall aims to return to the squad anytime this season, the chances of his comeback are slim, given the longer amount of time an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgery requires for recovery and rehab.
Mendenhall said of the situation:
"I'm just focused on getting back 100 percent. At what point I do that, whenever that is, I don't know."
So most probably the leading role would be down to Redman throughout the regular season at least.
He has already geared up for the position, while training in the first string on the second day of organised team activities (OTAs), on Wednesday, May 23.
He is working under the supervision of the new offensive coordinator, Todd Haley, who is credited to have taken Arizona Cardinals to the Super Bowl and Kansas City Chiefs to the playoffs.
Redman said of the Chiefs:
"(The Chiefs) were running the ball a lot and they were toting it too. Hopefully when we get out here and we start hitting on all cylinders and those young guys get going ... we'll see how this thing looks."
It now remains to be seen how the RB performs next season, which would also determine his future course and chances with Steelers and possibly elsewhere in the league.
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