Rashard Mendenhall Injury: What the Pittsburgh Steelers Must Do Next

An offseason that began with a gut-wrenching overtime loss to the Denver Broncos and has continued with the Pittsburgh Steelers renegotiating numerous contracts to address their precarious salary cap situation (all the while also coming to grips with the unpleasant fact that the Steelers may have no choice but to cut longtime stalwart wide receiver Hines Ward) just took another shot to the shins.

Numerous reports are circulating now that claim that starting running back Rashard Mendenhall, who tore his ACL in the regular season finale last year, might not only miss part of next season but could be sidelined for all of 2012.

Isaac Redman has shown himself to be a capable replacement for Mendenhall when called upon, rushing for 121 yards in the Steelers' playoff loss to the Denver Broncos last month, but the third-year pro does have a limited track record and should he struggle Pittsburgh currently has only Jonathan Dwyer and a pair of 2011 rookies behind him.

That of course begs the question...what now?

General Manager Kevin Colbert said Tuesday that the Steelers would stay the course for now, even though he's not counting on Mendenhall for 2012, stating, “I never feel good about an ACL until (about) a year. I'm not a doctor, but that's my mindset. If he gets back before that … it's a bonus.”

There's not really a whole lot else for him to say, given both the Steelers cap situation (terrible) and the fact that before March 13 he can't exactly mention "Hey, I think we'll sign so-and-so" without getting a trip to the Principal's Office.

However, here are a few things the Steelers might want to consider doing, taking into consideration their omnipresent financial woes, which they need to keep addressing by paring as much fat from the carcass as they can, and then taking some meat as well.

It's going to hurt, but it has to be done.

Next, as soon as humanly possible place Mendenhall on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, which will free up a roster spot that can be used to a acquire a journeyman backup such as Tashard Choice or Jackie Battle on the cheap.

Neither of those names is going to light the world on fire, nor is Maurice Morris or Tim Hightower (and he's pushing the high end), but when you have $2.78 in your pocket it's Del Taco you're eating at and not Wolfgang Puck.

After that it's time to re-sign Mewelde Moore, who has four years under his belt as the third down back in Pittsburgh, has quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's trust, and would likely come back for less money than the Steelers would have to pay a serviceable replacement.

Finally, if Mendenhall's knee really isn't responding very well (or if the Steelers front office has just tired of a back who has been far from a world beater in his four years in Pittsburgh) it may be time to give serious thought to drafting a running back earlier than they otherwise might have, either as insurance or Mendenhall's eventual replacement.

University of Washington running back Chris Polk would likely be available with the 24th overall pick and would seem to be an ideal fit for the Steelers as a downhill runner, but Pittsburgh has others areas of need as well and may not want to spend that high of a pick on a ball-carrier.

However, even if the Steelers waited until a bit later in the draft, the likes of Bernard Pierce of Temple and Vick Ballard of Mississippi State would be available and could still provide the Steelers with a complement to Redman and possibly the heir to Mendenhall.

So, while this has been a turbulent offseason for the Pittsburgh Steelers the loss of running back Rashard Mendenhall for part (or even all) of the 2012 season shouldn't cause oxygen masks to start dropping in Pittsburgh. In fact it may hardly be a bump at all.