Rashard Mendenhall Fantasy News 2012/2013

HacheMan · Jun 13, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Rashard Mendenhall - RB - Steelers </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Rashard Mendenhall (ACL surgery) has begun straight-line sprints.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Not always the most diligent offseason worker, Mendenhall appears to be in great shape while rehabbing his right knee. According to beat writer Dale Lolley, it looks like Mendenhall will be back "sooner rather than later." Contrary to conventional wisdom, Mendenhall is far from a lock to open the season on the PUP list. Keep that in mind when evaluating Isaac Redman this summer.
Jun. 13 - 1:02 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Washington Observer-Reporter</td></tr></tbody></table>

HacheMan · Jun 17, 2012

<table width="100%" align="center"><tbody><tr vAlign="top"><td class="subHead" vAlign="top" colSpan="3">Steelers GM expecting PUP list for Mendenhall </td></tr><tr vAlign="top"><td class="vaLabel" colSpan="3">Rashard Mendenhall - RB - PIT - Jun. 16 - 4:26 p.m. ET </td></tr><tr><td vAlign="top" colSpan="3">Steelers GM Kevin Colbert tentatively expects both Rashard Mendenhall (ACL surgery) and DE Casey Hampton (ACL surgery) to begin the year on the PUP list.
"My guess is they’ll open the season on PUP," Colbert said Friday. "You’ve got to remember both of those injuries happened late in the year." Mendenhall went down in Week 17, while Hampton was injured in Pittsburgh's Wild Card loss. It's positive that this is Colbert's "guess" as opposed to his expectation, but both players are in a race against time. The Steelers' bye is in Week 4, meaning they couldn't return before Week 8 if they land on the PUP list. For what it's worth, Mendenhall hasn't ruled out a Week 1 return.
Source: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
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HacheMan · Jun 18, 2012

<table width="100%" align="center"><tbody><tr vAlign="top"><td class="subHead" vAlign="top" colSpan="3">Mendenhall likely to miss 'at least' 6 weeks </td></tr><tr vAlign="top"><td class="vaLabel" colSpan="3">Rashard Mendenhall - RB - PIT - Jun. 18 - 8:46 a.m. ET </td></tr><tr><td vAlign="top" colSpan="3">According to SI's Peter King, Rashard Mendenhall (ACL surgery) is "not ready to play football," and will likely miss "at least" the first six games of the season.
"I think if your fantasy draft is tomorrow, you'd be smart to pick Isaac Redman ahead of Rashard Mendenhall," King wrote in this week's MMQB column. King's report isn't sourced, but it's highly doubtful he's simply passing along his own opinion. Mendenhall himself has yet to rule out a Week 1 return, but GM Kevin Colbert's "guess" is that he'll begin the season on the PUP list.
Source: Sports Illustrated
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HacheMan · Aug 7, 2012

<table width="100%" align="center"><tbody><tr vAlign="top"><td class="subHead" vAlign="top" colSpan="3">Steelers all but guarantee PUP for Mendenhall </td></tr><tr vAlign="top"><td class="vaLabel" colSpan="3">Rashard Mendenhall - RB - PIT - Aug. 7 - 2:55 p.m. ET </td></tr><tr><td vAlign="top" colSpan="3">Steelers GM Kevin Colbert would be "surprised" if Rashard Mendenhall does not miss the first six games of the season on the PUP list.
Mendenhall refuses to concede that he won't be ready for Week 1, but Colbert admits that has been the team's plan all along. Yet to practice, Mendenhall hasn't been able to build up confidence in the ability of his surgically repaired knee to withstand sharp cuts. It is Rotoworld's position that Mendenhall is not worth a draft pick and roster spot in typical 12-team leagues to start the season.
Source: CBS Pittsburgh
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HacheMan · Aug 20, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>Rashard Mendenhall - RB - Steelers </td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="bodyCopy">According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Steelers activated Rashard Mendenhall (knee) from PUP in order to "get him back into football shape" and prepare him to play in October.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Schefter says it would be a "stretch" to believe Mendenhall will have any impact in Pittsburgh's three September games. Mendenhall's return will throw another wrench into Isaac Redman's fantasy value, which at this point looks limited to a three-week stretch against the Broncos, Jets, and Raiders. Redman could be a tide-me-over for Ryan Mathews and Trent Richardson owners, but nothing more. Mendenhall is only worth a late-round stab in re-draft leagues.
Aug. 20 - 3:04 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: ESPN Insider</td></tr></tbody></table>

HacheMan · Sep 4, 2012

<table width="100%" align="center"><tbody><tr vAlign="top"><td class="vaLabel" colSpan="3">Rashard Mendenhall - RB - PIT - Sep. 4 - 2:13 p.m. ET </td></tr><tr><td vAlign="top" colSpan="3">Rashard Mendenhall showed "burst and long speed" that left Steelers defensive players "buzzing" in Monday's practice.
This comes on the heels of coach Mike Tomlin's surprising declaration that the Steelers are "leaving the door open" for Mendenhall to start the season opener, pending his knee's response to this week's practice workload. "He looked incredible," said DE Brett Keisel. Added ILB Lawrence Timmons, "I thought he looked great. He was running well, finishing runs. I'm excited for him." While it's great news for Mendenhall's progress, we're highly skeptical that he will see significant action at Denver after missing the entire preseason. This does put a bit of a damper on Jonathan Dwyer's sleeper outlook, however. Isaac Redman can be dropped in 12-team leagues.
Source: Scout.com
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HacheMan · Sep 5, 2012

<table width="100%" align="center"><tbody><tr vAlign="top"><td class="vaLabel" colSpan="3">Rashard Mendenhall - RB - PIT - Sep. 5 - 4:06 p.m. ET </td></tr><tr><td vAlign="top" colSpan="3">Rashard Mendenhall (knee) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice.
Mendenhall reportedly wasn't even sporting a brace. The Steelers are going to great lengths to make it appear as if Mendenhall has a shot at suiting up in Sunday's opener, but it's still hard to believe he'll be ready after receiving zero preseason reps. It's likely just a bit of gamesmanship on the Steelers' behalf, but things will get more interesting if Mendenhall is a "full" participant each of the next two days. Regardless of whatever the Steelers claim Mendenhall's status is, he's far too risky of a fantasy play for Week 1, especially since Pittsburgh is playing in the Sunday night game.
Source: Mark Kaboly on Twitter
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HacheMan · Sep 12, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Rashard Mendenhall (knee) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Mendenhall was a "full" participant all last week before the Steelers admitted on Friday he had little chance of suiting up against the Broncos. It's likely Mendenhall will follow the same path this week. Even if he's active against the Jets, he'd almost certainly be in for a limited role, and a poor flex option in fantasy leagues.
Sep. 12 - 4:34 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter</td></tr></tbody></table>

HacheMan · Sep 14, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td class="bodyCopy">The Steelers have been noncommittal on Rashard Mendenhall's (knee) status for Week 2.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Mendenhall is practicing fully this week, but that's no different than last week when he was inactive. Neither Mendenhall nor the coaches have hinted when he might return to game action. The Post-Gazette has predicted that Mendenhall will not suit up versus the Jets, leaving Jonathan Dwyer as the primary runner.
Sep. 14 - 11:19 a.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette</td></tr></tbody></table>

HacheMan · Sep 18, 2012

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td class="bodyCopy">Rashard Mendenhall will participate in contact drills this week for the first time since tearing his ACL in early January.</td></tr><tr><td>

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">"We'll thud him up a little bit the day we're allowed to carry our pads," Tomlin said. The Steelers appear to be taking a gradual approach to Mendenhall's return. With a Week 4 bye on the horizon, neither the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette nor the Beaver County Times expects to see Mendenhall in game action before Week 5.
Sep. 18 - 3:23 p.m. ET</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">

</td></tr><tr><td class="vaLink">Source: Scout.com</td></tr></tbody></table>

HacheMan · Oct 2, 2012

Rashard Mendenhall will have to pass a knee strength this week to make his 2012 debut versus the Eagles.

The expectation is that he will pass the test and play Sunday as the lead back in a committee attack. According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, coaches have been impressed with Mendenhall's cutting and "general ability running" since resuming full practices a month ago.

Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Oct 2 - 5:21 PM

HacheMan · Oct 3, 2012

Rashard Mendenhall (knee) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice, and "believes" he'll make his 2012 debut against the Eagles.

Mendenhall has gotten in "full" practices several Wednesdays running, but this is the first week he appears to be going genuinely full bore. The Steelers have been targeting Week 5 for his return all along. We expect Mendenhall to start, but to still cede plenty of carries to Isaac Redman and Jonathan Dwyer as he works his way back to full speed. He's a low-end flex until further notice.

Source: Mark Kaboly on Twitter
Oct 3 - 3:37 PM

HacheMan · Oct 4, 2012

Rashard Mendenhall (knee) expects to get significant playing time in Sunday's game against the Eagles.

Mendenhall was a full participant for the second straight day in Thursday's practice. The Steelers have not yet announced a starter at the running back position. But with Isaac Redman and Jonathan Dwyer combining to average 2.53 yards per carry so far, the writing is on the wall. If Mendenhall's knee cooperates, he's going to get plenty of work. Expect anywhere from 10-15 touches for Mendy in his 2012 debut.

Source: Beaver County Times
Oct 4 - 9:30 AM

HacheMan · Oct 8, 2012

Coach Mike Tomlin confirmed that Rashard Mendenhall (knee) emerged from his 2012 debut with no setbacks.

Mendenhall was incredibly sharp in his first game since an ACL tear, picking up 101 total yards and a touchdown on 16 touches. "The savior is back," Ben Roethlisberger said afterward. As Adrian Peterson and Jamaal Charles have shown, running backs coming off knee reconstructions aren't necessarily limited a week after big workloads. Locked in as the feature back, Mendenhall's snaps and touches only figure to rise as the season moves along.

Source: Mike Bires on Twitter
Oct 8 - 12:21 PM

HacheMan · Oct 15, 2012

According to CBS' Jason La Canfora, it "sounds like" Rashard Mendenhall (Achilles') has a "good shot" to play against the Bengals in Week 7.

It seems like La Canfora is just reading the tea leaves here. Previous reports stated that Mendenhall's injury wasn't serious and the Steelers haven't expressed much concern. We'll know more after Mike Tomlin addresses the media. The concern is that the coaches could back off Mendenhall's workload now that he's having apparent complications that are possibly related to last year's ACL tear.

Source: Jason La Canfora on Twitter
Oct 15 - 11:37 AM

HacheMan · Oct 17, 2012

Rashard Mendenhall - RB - Steelers
Rashard Mendenhall (Achilles) was absent from Wednesday's practice.

Mendenhall is officially day-to-day, but this isn't a good start if he's hoping to play Sunday. More than likely, he'll be listed as questionable on Friday's injury report before being a game-time decision against the Bengals. That's a problem since the Steelers are playing in the Sunday night game. A lot can change in the next 48 hours, but Mendenhall owners need to have a back-up plan ready.

Source: Ed Bouchette on Twitter
Oct 17 - 3:53 PM

HacheMan · Oct 18, 2012

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette confirms the Steelers believe Rashard Mendenhall (Achilles) has a better chance than Isaac Redman (ankle) of playing in Week 7.

However, beat writer Gerry Dulac believes Mendenhall will have to return to practice on Friday to have a realistic chance of suiting up. With the Steelers playing the Sunday night game and both players trending toward game-time decisions, it's a situation to avoid in fantasy leagues.
Related: Isaac Redman

Source: Gerry Dulac on Twitter
Oct 18 - 5:32 PM

HacheMan · Oct 23, 2012

Coach Mike Tomlin said Rashard Mendenhall (Achilles') and Isaac Redman (ankle) have a chance to play in Sunday's game against the Redskins.

Tomlin was very forthcoming with his injury updates Tuesday, ruling out certain players and saying he expected others to suit up. So we can consider both Mendenhall and Redman truly questionable for now. If they both are able to play, the Steelers will likely turn to a rotation. Jonathan Dwyer impressed with 17 carries for 122 yards against the Bengals in Week 7.
Related: Isaac Redman, Jonathan Dwyer

Source: Mike Bires on Twitter
Oct 23 - 12:25 PM

HacheMan · Oct 24, 2012

Rashard Mendenhall (Achilles) sat out Wednesday's practice.

As did Isaac Redman (ankle). Jonathan Dwyer was also missing, but his absence was for "personal reasons." Coach Mike Tomlin believes both Mendenhall and Redman could be ready to return this weekend, but the early signs certainly suggest another heavy workload for Dwyer.

Source: Bob Labriola on Twitter
Oct 24 - 3:45 PM

HacheMan · Oct 30, 2012

Rashard Mendenhall (Achilles') has been cleared for individual work on Wednesday.

It's a step in the right direction for Mendenhall. However, the Steelers' backfield is extremely muddled right now. Jonathan Dwyer is nursing a quad injury, Mendy is no lock to be ready for Week 9 and Isaac Redman (ankle) is on track to practice Wednesday. Coach Mike Tomlin has refused to name a starter. Mendenhall is a mere stash in fantasy formats right now.

Source: Ed Bouchette on Twitter
Oct 30 - 12:21 PM