Rashard Mendenhall Injury: Steelers Need More Than Just Healthy RB to Succeed

Rashard Mendenhall is the focal point of the Pittsburgh Steelers' offense. If you look at his stat line, you'd think he'd be out of a job soon.

The former first-round pick and fourth-year veteran is off to the worst start of his career, and he left the Steelers' loss to the Texans with a hamstring injury on Sunday.

Fortunately, the injury is not believed to be serious, according to NFL.com's Jason La Canfora:

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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.

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This is great news for the Steelers as they get ready to take on the Tennessee Titans, a surprise 3-1 team.

However, just getting Mendenhall back won't be enough to help this Steelers offense get in gear though.

Change-of-pace-back Isaac Redman has been the most productive player in the Steelers' backfield so far, and that has to change immediately.

Mendenhall is averaging only three yards per carry while Redman is just under five.

He's also been absent from the Steelers' passing game (you could essentially extend that notion to everyone but Mike Wallace) as Ben Roethlisberger continues to struggle.

Despite averaging nearly 360 yards per game, the Steelers lead only the Colts, Seahawks, Chiefs, Rams and Jaguars in points scored.

So far this season, the Steelers look nothing like a Super Bowl contender.

Should Mendenhall play this week, and it appears he will, Pittsburgh needs more than just his healthy body on the field. It is time for somebody to pick up the slack for the Steelers' shoddy production, and it should start with them getting back to the ground game.