Rashard Mendenhall Injury: Updates on Steeler's Week 5 Status and Fantasy Value

The Pittsburgh Steelers lost more than just a football game yesterday.

While Arian Foster was pounding the rock into the Steelers defense, outside linebacker James Harrison was on the sideline and running back Rashard Mendenhall joined him in the third quarter.

While Harrison returned to play in the fourth quarter, Mendenhall was absent in the loss.

Shortly after scoring his second touchdown of the season, Mendenhall left the field with what appeared to be a hamstring injury.

UPDATE: Sunday, Oct. 9 at 2:38 p.m. EDT by Matt Faulconer

As mentioned, Mendenhall was expected to only be available in emergency situations, and that's how things have gone so far for the Steelers.

At halftime, Mendenhall has yet to receive a carry. Don't expect him to get a second half touch with the team ahead by 18 at halftime.

UPDATE: Sunday, Oct. 9 at 11:55 a.m. EDT by Donald Wood

The plan for the Steelers is becoming obvious now, with Mendenhall being the team’s No. 3 running back and only available in extreme cases of injuries.

ESPN NFL Insider Josina Anderson is reporting on Twitter about Mendenhall’s plan for Sunday:

Isaac Redman is the top back for the Steelers, and as much as he seems like a solid start, don’t forget how bad the Steelers offensive line has been. If you are stuck with bye weeks and no better options start Redman, but find another back if possible.

UPDATE: Sunday, Oct. 9 at 11:45 a.m. EDT by Donald Wood

The Pittsburgh Steelers will have Rashard Mendenhall dressed on the sideline this week, but he will be the team’s third option in the running game.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette is reporting about Mendenhall’s status for Sunday’s game:

"

Despite a report you might have seen elsewhere, Rashard Mendenhall will dress today. However, the Steelers hope they do not have to use him. That leaves only Jonathan Dwyer as the backup to Isaac Redman, who will make his first NFL start.

"

Mendenhall needs to be as far away from your starting lineup as he can possibly be, and if there was ever a week to start Isaac Redman in fantasy football, this week is that time.

UPDATE: Sunday, Oct. 9 at 10:10 a.m. EDT by Donald Wood

After a week of missing practice and being listed as questionable for the Pittsburgh Steelers game against the Tennessee Titans, word is that the star running back will miss the game.

ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter is reporting on twitter about Mendenhall’s availability for Sunday’s game:

Here it is, this is the time to star Isaac Redman in your fantasy league. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would ever say that phrase, but if there was ever a time to get him into your starting lineup it would be now.

 

UPDATE: Sunday, Oct. 9 at 10:00 a.m. EDT by Donald Wood

Rashard Mendenhall is a star running back in the NFL, but the lack of an offensive line in Pittsburgh and an ailing hamstring.

Jason La Canfora of the NFL Network is reporting:

"

The Pittsburgh Steelers plan to start Isaac Redman at running back in Sunday's game against the Tennessee Titans, according to a team source. Rashard Mendenhall might play and contribute as a back-up, depending on his pre-game evaluation. Mendenhall was a full participant in Friday's practice but was listed as questionable on the team's injury report. He injured his hamstring in Pittsburgh's 17-10 loss to the Houston Texans last week.

"

If there was ever a time to seriously consider starting Isaac Redman, this is the time to do so. All the questions around Mendenhall will make him useless for the Steelers Sunday.

UPDATE: Saturday, Oct. 8 at 3:25 p.m. EDT by Donald Wood

Rashard Mendenhall has been terrible this season, but look to the offensive line for a reason more than Mendenhall himself. Now that he is hurting with a hamstring injury, the Pittsburgh Steelers will play it safe and let him ease back into things.

ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter is reporting on twitter about Mendenhall’s status for Sunday:

While Mendenhall has been stifled all season, this is the time to buy very low on Mendenhall in hopes that the Steelers get their game in order by the time the Fantasy football playoffs come around. If you have Mendenhall, pick up Isaac Redman as your handcuff.

UPDATE: Friday, Oct, 7 at 3:00 p.m. ET 

John Clayton tweeted today the latest news on Mendenhall. 

This isn't good news for Mendenhall owners. If you haven't already, you need to go pickup Isaac Redman because he will be filling in for the injured Mendenhall.

The Steelers would be rise to not risk anything here and just sit Mendenhall for Sunday's game against the Titans. He will be missed, but the don't want to lose him for longer than they should.  

UPDATE: Thursday, Oct. 6 at 1:23 p.m. EDT by Brandon Galvin

Rashard Mendenhall's status for Sunday could be determined today. He is expected to test his injured hamstring today, according to Pittsburgh Tribune-Review's Scott Brown.

UPDATE: Thursday, Oct. 6 at 12:35 p.m. EDT by Matt Faulconer

Things are looking a bit worse on the Mendenhall front for fantasy owners this weekend. It sounds like time to pick up Isaac Redman, as Even Silva is reporting that the Steelers are preparing for Redman to be the starter this week.

At this point, it doesn't seem as if Mendenhall will play this week, and the Steelers are going to give him the week off to let him heal and come back healthy. That should help Mendenhall in the long-term, but Redman is a good waiver wire acquisition for the week.

UPDATE: Thursday, Oct. 6 at 10:42 a.m. EDT by Matt Faulconer

While Ben Roetlistberger is expected to play, according to Adam Schefter. Things don't look as promising on the Mendenhall front. According to Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Mendenhall's status is still up in the air.

He is obviously going to be listed as questionable, but this looks as if it may end up being a game-time decision. It may be wise to scoop up Isaac Redman off the waiver wire if you are banking on Mendenhall playing this week.

UPDATE: Wednesday, Oct. 5 at 2:50 p.m. EDT by Donald Wood

The Pittsburgh Steelers have had a dreadful season running the ball, but blame the porous offensive line instead of stellar running back Rashard Mendenhall. Now the team has to attack the rushing game differently with an injury to Mendenhall’s hamstring.

Tennessee Titans Radio Jonathan Hutton is reporting on twitter about Mendenhall’s status for Sunday:

While Mendenhall may not be practicing today, the team may have him back for the game against the Titans but the level of his impact will not be very great. If you have him in your fantasy league, get him on your bench.

UPDATE: Tuesday, Oct 4 at 11:15 a.m. ET by Eric Bowman

The Steelers will continue to monitor Mendenhall's status throughout the week, and it's likely that he'll be a game time decision on Sunday. 

However, recent news about Mewelde Moore means the Steelers desperately need Mendenhall to play on Sunday. 

Gerry Dulac covers the Steelers for the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, and this tweet lets us know that Steelers are very thin at running back this week. 

Backup running back Isaac Redman's stock raises even more now with Moore out and Mendenhall's status uncertain. If Redman does well then it could hurt Mendenhall moving forward because he'll steal carries from the power back. 

UPDATE: Monday, Oct. 3rd at 4:28 p.m. EDT

There hasn't been a ton of news coming out of Pittsburgh regarding Mendenhall's availability, but the Steelers should be happy with this latest bit of news.

According to Jason La Canfora of NFL Network he should be back in the fold this weekend:

"

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall left Sunday's game against the Houston Texans with a hamstring injury, but it doesn't appear serious, a league source said on Monday. 

The Steelers will see how much Mendenhall can do during practice, and he could be back as soon as this weekend for Pittsburgh's home game against the Tennessee Titans.

"

That would obviously be the ideal scenario for the Steelers. Pittsburgh is coming off their second loss of the season and need Mendenhall in the backfield despite his lack of production so far this season.

The Titans have been very efficient on defense this year and if he's less than 100-percent it may be worth keeping him on the bench.

We'll continue to monitor his situation as the week goes on. 

INITIAL UPDATE: According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the only thing they can confirm is that it is a hamstring injury.

Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was also injured on the game's final drive and things simply did not go well for the Steelers in Houston.

Mendenhall wasn't producing when he was in the game anyway. In fact, he hasn't produced much all year.

He leads the team in rushing with only 173 yards and is averaging an ugly three yards per carry.

His teammate and change-of-pace back, Isaac Redman, is averaging 4.9 yards per carry on 36 fewer carries. In yesterday's game in particular he was much more productive. On only six carries he went 40 yards while Mendenhall only gained 25 yards on nine carries.

Fantasy owners haven't been happy with Mendenhall all year. He has been minimally productive in the passing game and his dismal average leaves much to be desired.

The Steelers, as an offense, have struggled to score points and Mendenhall is just one of the players affected by it.

Like all hamstring injuries, his recovery will likely take time. We still do not know the severity of it, but should it be anything more than a tweak, he could miss their Week 5 matchup with the Tennessee Titans.

Tennessee has been a surprisingly strong force so far this season, especially on defense, and his status has to be monitored on a daily basis if you want to use him at all in fantasy.

Be sure to check back as we will update Mendenhall's status when more is known.