Last call: Rashard Mendenhall set to return in Week 5
If the 2012 NFL season has taught us anything, it's that replacing an ACL is basically as simple as changing a roll of toilet paper. It's really no big deal.
In fact, you can probably do it yourself at home, if you happen to have a cadaver lying around. (Not saying I do, not saying I don't. Mind your business). We've already seen Jamaal Charles and Adrian Peterson return from the injury at something close to full capacity.
Next Sunday, Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall is expected to make his season debut at home against the Eagles, nine months after tearing the ACL in his right knee. His return should of course be a huge boost to a running game that currently ranks 31st in the NFL in yards-per-game (65.0) and dead-last in yards-per-carry (2.6).
If you're anticipating a backfield committee in Pittsburgh, then you're not on the same page as Isaac Redman, the dude who leads the team in rushing through three weeks.
These were a few of Redman's recent comments, via the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
"[Mendenhall] will come in and be the feature guy, and that keeps me on the sidelines and we will come in to spell him. I think Rashard has that gifted ability to make those quick cuts and get to the outside and have those big, long, breakaway runs."
Again, that's Redman talking, not some fantasy hack. It's not exactly uninformed speculation.
Mendenhall is still available in roughly one-third of Yahoo! leagues, so a few thousand of you can make the add. Do it soon, gamers, before the unrestrained hyping begins.
