Coming off an ACL tear he sustained on January 1, the Pittsburgh Steelers are preparing for RB Rashard Mendenhall to start the season on the Physically Unable to Perform list. Mendenhall has told reporters numerous times this offseason that he intends to be ready to play Week One of the 2012 regular season but the Steelers organization is preparing as if he won’t be available.
Mendenhall, 24, has been a productive back for the Steelers with career highs coming in 2010 when he rushed for 1273 yards and 13 touchdowns. The Illinois product is entering the final year of his rookie contract and will be a free agent after this season.
Steelers general manager told reporters this week that he expects Mendenhall as well as DT Casey Hampton to both start the season on the PUP list given the timing and severity of their injuries. “My guess is they’ll start the season on PUP. You’ve got to remember both of these injuries happened late in the year,” said Colbert.
I…
Source: Yardbarker: Pittsburgh Steelers
