Rashard

Mendenhall

Redman is expected to handle one series per half, some third downs, and short-yardage duties everywhere but the goal-line. The Steelers coaches are rewarding him for his continued improvement, but this isn’t a major concern for Rashard Mendenhall owners. OC Bruce Arians assures that the offense will “run through” Mendenhall.

“He’s as good as he’s ever been right now in the running game and passing game,” said Arians. “That’s our lead dog.” The passing game is stacked this year as well, so defenses are going to have to pick their poison against the Steelers. There’s a lot of fantasy potential in Pittsburgh this season.

The Steelers have had trouble converting at the stripe. Backup Isaac Redman took one carry at the goal-line last week, but Arians now says he should have stayed with Mendnehall. “That’s Rashard’s job,” said Arians. "... He’s done too good a job inside the 5.”

According to ESPN’s Josina Anderson, Mendenhall is not expecting to give it a go. La Canfora reports Isaac Redman will draw the start at running back even if Mendenhall is active, much like the situation with Frank Gore and Kendall Hunter last weekend. Going up against the NFL’s eighth ranked run defense as a backup at best, Mendenhall is best left on your bench unless you simply have no alternatives. We will learn his final status some time in the next two hours.

NFL Network is reporting that Mendenhall will play in a “limited capacity,” per coach Mike Tomlin. It sounds like a situation similar to Knowshon Moreno’s in Week 3, when he was active behind Willis McGahee and Lance Ball but did not play on offense. Mendenhall isn’t a Week 5 fantasy option. Isaac Redman will start against the Titans, with Jonathan Dwyer and Mendenhall behind him.

The Steelers’ Week 5 inactives are RB Mewelde Moore, CB Cortez Allen, OG Chris Kemoeatu, DE Aaron Smith, OLB James Harrison, OLB Jason Worilds, and NT Casey Hampton. Hampton, Smith, and Harrison have 10 Pro Bowl appearances between them. The Steelers will start Isaac Redman at running back, with Jonathan Dwyer next in line for carries. Mendenhall is an emergency option.

Isaac Redman had 18 touches while Jonathan Dwyer got a career-high 12. Mendenhall was in pads and could be seen jumping around on the sideline, but never came into the game. His status for Week 6 against the Jaguars is uncertain.

Mendenhall was active, but didn’t play Sunday because of a hamstring injury. His status for Week 6 against Jacksonville is uncertain. While Isaac Redman will stay involved as a change-up option, he didn’t even outplay fourth-stringer Jonathan Dwyer against the Titans. It’s still Mendenhall’s job.

Mendenhall busted out with 146 yards and a touchdown, putting to rest silly rumors that his role was in jeopardy. Now healthy and confident, Mendenhall gets the rancid defenses of Cardinals and Patriots the next two weeks.

Mendenhall looked explosive when the Steelers gave him opportunities at outside runs, but got nothing going between the tackles and saw his touch count affected by frequent spread-offense looks. Ben Roethlisberger had been pulling for more spread sets during the week. Mendenhall should get back to flirting with 20 touches in Week 8 against New England. Talent is not the issue here, and Mendenhall is as healthy as he’s been all season.