Rashard Mendenhall: Steelers Lose RB to ACL Injury, Limp into Playoffs

Rashard Mendenhall has been the star of the Pittsburgh Steelers' run-heavy philosophy throughout the years, but after tearing his ACL in Sunday's game against the Cleveland Browns, he won't be there for them in the playoffs.

And, with apologies to quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, the Steelers won't make it to the Super Bowl as a result.

On Monday, Adam Schefter of ESPN tweeted that Mendenhall was lost for the rest of the season.

Mendenhall finished with 928 yards and nine touchdowns this season after posting consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. He's the battering ram of the Steelers' offense, an offense that struggles to put up a lot of points as it is.

This season, the Steelers have averaged just over 20 points per game. After Mendenhall was injured Sunday against the Browns, the Steelers barely edged out the victory, 13-9. This team's defense is still one of the best in the NFL, but there are legitimate concerns regarding whether the offense can score enough. The Baltimore Ravens have a very good defense and the New England Patriots can rack up points.

I have no doubt that Roethlisberger will have a say in the playoffs, but the Steelers' formula for success has been disrupted, and that can throw teams out of whack.

The teams should go with second-year pro Isaac Redman as a result. Redman rushed for 92 yards and a touchdown in relief of Mendenhall against the Browns, but he also lost two fumbles and I figure the Ravens' rush defense would cause serious problems for him. Redman is going to have to grow up fast, perhaps unrealistically fast, to be a factor against a team like the Ravens.

The Steelers have a few players they couldn't afford to lose headed into the playoffs, and Mendenhall was one of them.