Steelers expect Mendenhall to miss 2012

[ThomasTomasz]

The Pittsburgh Steelers aren't counting on Rashard Mendenhall to play in 2012 but general manager Kevin Colbert didn't rule out a return by the running back sometime next season.

Mendenhall, the team's leading rusher for the past three seasons, tore his anterior cruciate ligament in the Jan. 1 regular-season finale at Cleveland.

"I never feel good about an ACL for a year," Colbert told Pittsburgh reporters Monday.

Colbert didn't describe running back as a pressing need heading into free agency, which begins March 13.

Backup running back Isaac Redman ran for 121 yards in the playoff loss at Denver. The other Steelers backups are Jonathan Dwyer, John Clay and Baron Batch.

"No more than we are for any other position," he said, when asked if the team needs to add another running back. "Our young backup contributors did a nice job."

Colbert also indicated that the Steelers haven't parted ways with wide receiver Hines Ward. The NFL Network on Saturday reported that the Steelers had decided not to bring back Ward.

Ward, who lost his starting job in 2011, was scheduled to make $4 million in the last two years of his contract but has said he was willing to take a pay cut.

"To this current point no final decisions have been made," Colbert said. "We've had several discussions internally."

Cornerback Ike Taylor and linebackers Lawrence Timmons and LaMarr Woodley have agreed to restructure their contracts in hopes of getting under the salary cap.

Colbert said the team is in the middle of making free agent evaluations and won't make any move on Ward until that process is complete.

"That will give us an idea about what else is out there, where we stand with restructuring contracts and what we will have to do as far as possibly terminating people, both immediately and after the fact if we decide we want to add some players (in free agency)," Colbert said.

Ward is coming off a season in which he finished with 46 receptions for 381 yards and two touchdowns, his lowest totals in each category since he was a rookie in 1998. The 2006 Super Bowl MVP -- who also won "Dancing With the Stars" last spring -- is one of only two receivers in league history to reach 1,000 receptions and win at least two Super Bowls.

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/7571953/pittsburgh-steelers-not-counting-rashard-mendenhall-2012

Redman did a good job in the playoffs, but the Steelers definitely need to get some depth back there, either via the draft or free agency. What do you all see as early possibilities?

 

[Rudi]

Damn he always went off against the Bengals. Sucks for him, but oh well fuck the Steelers.

 

[Derrville]

We'll trade them Felix Jones.

 

[KnightNoles]

Doesn't surprise me with the ACL tear, I would like Dwyer to work himself into the lineup along with Clay. Getting back to the "Steeler Football" would begin with those two workhorse guys.

 

[ralaw]

Meh, they don't use him anyways.

/BITTER FANTASY FOOTBALL FAN THAT TOOK HIM IN THE 1ST ROUND

 

[f16harm]

I always saw Brandon Jacobs as good fit for the Steelers.

 

[RosettaStoned]

Redman is better anyway.

 

[nwfisch]

Hope he gets better soon.

 

[TuxedoYoda]

Am I the only one that thinks that Cedric Benson would be a good fit in Pittsburgh??

 

[steeljake]

Am I the only one that thinks that Cedric Benson would be a good fit in Pittsburgh??

yes. fuck him and fuck you too.

redman will fine as the starter and dwyer and clay behind him will be good to go. jacobs might be a good fit but he wants a big deal and we have very little cap room.

 

[KnightNoles]

I always saw Brandon Jacobs as good fit for the Steelers.

Funny, I said this the last 1/4 of the season and into the playoffs but like Jakey said, money is the problem

 

[SethMode]

I really tried to like Mendenhall, but he never really seemed to reach his full potential. I don't know if I necessarily like Redman as a long term fix, but I won't complain about giving him a shot next year at the same time.

 

[Shayn•Da•Pain]

That's just fabulous news. Draft a RB or sign one?