Lessons Learned from Pittsburgh Steelers' Training Camp This Week

The Pittsburgh Steelers are wrapping up their 2012 training camp this weekend, and it's been an eventful few weeks.

With new players trying to integrate themselves, a new offensive scheme to master, starters dealing with injuries and a slew of young receivers all vying for one lone spot, there's been a lot to keep an eye on in Latrobe, Penn.

Here are the three biggest stories out of Steelers' training camp this week.

Casey Hampton and Rashard Mendenhall Taken off of PUP List

In a surprising move on Friday, the Steelers announced that nose tackle Casey Hampton and running back Rashard Mendenhall are off of the Physically Unable to Perform list. 

Neither player will be eligible to practice in pads through the weekend, and it's likely the two will be limited for a good chunk of time once they can rejoin their teammates. 

Hampton and Mendenhall are both coming off of torn ACLs and subsequent surgery. It was a common belief before this move that both players could have started the season on the PUP list, returning after the sixth week of the season. Both are now ineligible for being put on the PUP list.

Steve McLendon has been filling in handily at nose tackle for Hampton, but the situation with the running backs likely forced the team's hand when it came to getting Mendenhall prepared to come back on the field. It looks as though he won't be ready for Week 1, based on the comments of Steelers' general manager Kevin Colbert and this report from ESPN's Adam Schefter, who expects Mendenhall to miss all of September.

Isaac Redman Undergoes MRI

In a breach of Steelers' protocol, starting Steelers running back Isaac Redman disclosed to the media earlier this week that he would be undergoing an MRI on his groin after struggling with pain and having the inability to run without severe discomfort.

After the announcement, Redman attempted to practice with the team on Wednesday but it was unsuccessful. He had the MRI on Thursday, though head coach Mike Tomlin wouldn't acknowledge it. When asked about the results, Redman said that the MRI revealed exactly what the Steelers' trainers thought it would, but did not elaborate on just what that thing is.

With John Clay put on the injured/waived list after an injury suffered in Sunday's practice and Redman sidelined, the Steelers found themselves down to just three running backs: Chris Rainey, Baron Batch and Jonathan Dwyer. 

Likely this thinness at running back compelled the Steelers to activate Mendenhall earlier than they had anticipated. There should be more news on Redman's injury in the coming days.

Update: According to Adam Schefter, Redman's injury is to his hip and will not require surgery. He will, however, miss Sunday's game but could return to practice next week.

Mike Wallace to Return Soon?

Chatter increased about the possibility that holdout wide receiver Mike Wallace may come back to Pittsburgh very soon, though clearly not in time to participate in training camp, which is about to wrap up.

Wallace has been working out in Florida with trainer Tom Shaw and staying at teammate Ike Taylor's house while doing so.

The reports are that Wallace has been staying in shape and working through Todd Haley's new playbook, participating in drills on his own that include everything but contact. The hope is that once he comes back to the team, he won't have too much catching up to do.

Another holdout receiver, the Kansas City Chiefs' Dwayne Bowe, signed his tender (a franchise tag deal, and not a first-round tender that is what Wallace will receive) on Friday after his team's camp has closed and there's less media scrutiny. Wallace may follow a similar path; we'll know for sure after Sunday's game against the Indianapolis Colts.

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