Steelers cautiously optimistic on return of Harrison, Polamalu, Mendenhall
 

Steelers cautiously optimistic on return of Harrison, Polamalu, Mendenhall (read more)

Fans of the Pittsburgh Steelers should feel cautiously optimistic on the injury front this evening, as it appears that the team is on the verge of getting all of their injured players back, including some big names.

Safety Troy Polamalu has been going through practices with little to no issues for the past two weeks, including today, and, barring any sort of unforeseen setback, appears ready to return to the field after missing the past two games prior to the team’s week 4 bye.

Running back Rashard Mendenhall, who tore his ACL on January 1st in the last game of the regular season, has in fact been practicing throughout the regular season, gradually increasing the stress level on his surgically repaired knee and it appears that he’s about ready to test it in game action.

Mendenhall actually tore his ACL just a week after Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson, and came off the Physically Unable to Perform list a week after as well.

These coincidental events led to speculation that Mendenhall might play as early as the first game of the season, as Peterson did, but the Steelers chose to be more cautious.

While the running game has suffered in his absence (ranked 30th overall in rushing yards per game), the blame falls as much, if not more so, on the offensive line than it does the stable of running backs behind Mendenhall.

Re: Steelers cautiously optimistic on return of Harrison, Polamalu, Mendenhall
 

I wish DeCastro's name was included in that list, although I know we won't be seeing him the remainder of the season.

Re: Steelers cautiously optimistic on return of Harrison, Polamalu, Mendenhall
 

not that it means much, but word is decastro was seen at the WVU game last saturday walking without a limp.

Re: Steelers cautiously optimistic on return of Harrison, Polamalu, Mendenhall
 

Thanks for the update, tony. That news makes me slightly more optimistic. :tt:

Re: Steelers cautiously optimistic on return of Harrison, Polamalu, Mendenhall
 

Mendenhall's been practicing, right? Pretty sure we'll see him. Have to see how long Troy and James can practice.

Re: Steelers cautiously optimistic on return of Harrison, Polamalu, Mendenhall
 

DeCastro is mentioned in the full article in the link (as are Sylvester and Adams).

Yeah, Mendenhall's been practicing all season. Troy has practiced fully since last week, so he seems to be a go. For James...we'll just have to wait and see how he feels tomorrow morning.

Re: Steelers cautiously optimistic on return of Harrison, Polamalu, Mendenhall
 

DD is a Mountaineer fan... I knew there was a reason that I liked that kid.

Wait... maybe he's scouting Tavon Austin (imagine him, Wallace, Sanders, and AB in the four-wide set).

[Really though: He's probably a guest of his good friend's dad (ie Oliver Luck).]

Re: Steelers cautiously optimistic on return of Harrison, Polamalu, Mendenhall
 

I really want to see this team play with all of these missing pieces

Re: Steelers cautiously optimistic on return of Harrison, Polamalu, Mendenhall
 

now i can laugh my ass off again every time al michaels says mendinghall

Re: Steelers cautiously optimistic on return of Harrison, Polamalu, Mendenhall
 

Yea he was there with Andrew Luck