Baron

Batch

It’s been just over seven months since Batch tore his ACL in a preseason practice. The Steelers liked his potential as a third-down back coming out of Texas Tech last year, and he’ll compete for that role until Rashard Mendenhall gets over his own ACL tear. Batch probably won’t get on the fantasy radar.

Now nine months removed from surgery, Batch is eligible to practice but is apparently not ready to do so. It’s possible the 2011 seventh-rounder suffered a recent setback, as he indicated in late March that he was cleared for all offseason workouts.

This is our first Batch update since he tore his ACL two weeks into an impressive training camp. With a full year to recover, Batch would ideally overtake Mewelde Moore for passing down duties at some point in the 2012 season.

Redman hasn’t been able to practice since rushing five times for 14 yards in the preseason opener last Thursday. Additional tests will determine the grade of his strain. Already lacking burst, Redman can’t afford to be playing at less than 100 percent. Fellow plodders Jonathan Dwyer and Baron Batch are next up on the depth chart as the Steelers’ run game continues to trend downward.

Although Redman doubled the third-down snaps of Mewelde Moore last season, it was news to him that he’s keeping the role while also taking over as the primary early-down back. Redman is in line for a heavy workload through October. The question is whether fantasy owners can count on him as a viable starter once Rashard Mendenhall is back to full health.

Per the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Batch “is expected to be fully healthy” after sitting out rookie minicamp in early May. A 2011 seventh-round pick, Batch’s 2012 outlook is gloomier coming off the knee reconstruction. The third-down back candidate will be battling for a roster spot in training camp.

A third-down back prospect, Batch is competing for a roster spot behind Isaac Redman, Jonathan Dwyer, and John Clay. Coach Mike Tomlin likes what he’s seen so far. “I like the fact that there was no hesitation in his play,” said Tomlin after watching Batch on the practice field. “For a guy that’s coming off a knee injury, I thought he moved with authority and trusted his knee.”

Although Batch’s MRI showed nothing alarming, he was downgraded from Wednesday’s limited practice. The fourth-stringer injured his groin in the preseason finale.

After Rashard Mendenhall (Achilles’) and Isaac Redman (knee) left the game, Batch became the lead back with Chris Rainey coming in on some third downs. The second-year back out of Texas Tech appears to be ahead of Jonathan Dwyer, who was a healthy scratch on Thursday. The Steelers have 10 days before they take on Cincinnati in Week 7, but if Mendenhall and Redman are forced to miss time, Batch could draw the start.

He wasn’t targeted in the passing game. This, despite the fact that both Jonathan Dwyer and Rashard Mendenhall were out with injury. With Isaac Redman going off for 147 yards on 26 carries, Batch won’t be on the Week 10 radar even if Dwyer and Mendenhall both remain sidelined.