Realistic Expectations for Pittsburgh Steelers RB Rashard Mendenhall in 2012

When Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall tore his ACL in January, it seemed as though he may miss the entirety of the 2012 season. Team general manager Kevin Colbert said as much back in February, and the team began preparing for a year with Isaac Redman as the team's primary back.

But now Mendenhall has been working out, is able to both run and make cuts and though there is still some swelling and pain in the knee, it looks likely he'll be able to take the field at some point this season.

Mendenhall is holding out hope that his recovery will advance enough to allow him to take the field in the team's Week 1 game against the Denver Broncos; however, it seems more likely that he'll start the season on the PUP list and return to the team in Week 6.

This is a contract year for Mendenhall, which is a major reason not to rush back from the injury too quickly. But now that we know we'll likely see him in action this season, attention now turns to what we can reasonably expect him to accomplish.

The nature of the immediate impact Mendenhall makes upon his return is dependent upon two things: the effectiveness of Redman (and the other Steelers backs) during Mendenhall's absence and how conservative the team wants to be with using him right away in order to limit his chances of a setback or re-injury.

The latter shouldn't be that big of an issue—the Steelers aren't going to risk Mendenhall's health and will know what his physical limitations are or aren't well before he takes the field for the first time. But the former could determine the future of the Steelers run game as well as Mendenhall's future with the team.

Mendenhall rushed for over 1,100 yards in both the 2009 and 2010 seasons before dipping to below 1,000 last year, missing one game with a hamstring injury and most of Week 17 after suffering the ACL tear. He's been the Steelers' unquestioned workhorse back, with 242 carries in 2009, 324 in 2010 and 228 in 2011; in contrast, Redman had his most career carries last season, with 110.

Though Redman should be adept at carrying the load, he'll be assisted in various ways by the team's other backs, Chris Rainey, Jonathan Dwyer, John Clay and Baron Batch.

This committee approach would likely be somewhat reined in with Mendenhall fully healthy; however, it's likely other players' touches would cut into Mendenhall's with Todd Haley charged with the offensive playcalling this year.

There are some questions about Redman's ability to take the brunt of the carries and the bruising that goes along with being the go-to running back. But if he impresses during the time Mendenhall sits out, the Steelers could have a bit of a controversy on their hands.

It's certainly not uncommon that a backup supplants an injured starter because of his productivity while filling in (just look to Arian Foster as a recent example). With more touches (and a better offensive line, and a blocking fullback), Redman could have a stellar start to his season, which may make the Steelers reconsider Mendenhall's position as the No. 1 back when he returns.

If that is the case, it's not like Mendenhall will drop all that far down the depth chart—he's likely be the No. 2 to Redman's No. 1. And with Haley wanting to get running backs more involved in the passing game and Mendenhall's relatively high value in that area, there will certainly be chances for him to flash his talents even if Redman ends up getting most of the carries this season.

Mendenhall will likely look to get as many carries as possible upon his return simply because he needs to prove not only to his team but to any other potential squads interested in his services that he's no worse for wear after suffering an injury that serious right before heading into the final year of his Steelers contract.

But if Redman, et al., prove to be more than adequate replacements, there may be little Mendenhall can do to secure himself a new contract in Pittsburgh, especially in a 2013 offseason where the team will yet again be struggling to stay under the salary cap.

It's quite possible, with six weeks of the season already in the books, that Redman and Mendenhall have a role reversal this year, with Redman getting well over 200 carries and notching around or over 1,000 yards, while Mendenhall has 75-90 carries and 300 to 400 total yards.

Mendenhall is talented, but he's no Adrian Peterson. He's not likely to be ready by the start of the regular season and might be treated a little gingerly upon his return in order to limit the chances of him missing any more time. 

The Steelers, to their credit, are well-equipped to handle the weeks without him and have enough backs on the roster to make up for Mendenhall not being around at the beginning of the season. As such, however, that cadre of effective backs will likely stymie Mendenhall's production once he returns.

Follow @FBALL_Andrea