Speaking about the Steelers' 2012 running game, GM Kevin Colbert said "that group of players didn't produce the way we anticipated they would."

"Where we were in running game last year was indicative in the talent at the position," Colbert said. Where the Steelers were was 26th in the league with 96.1 yards rushing per game. A running back corps "led" by Rashard Mendenhall, Jonathan Dwyer and Ike Redman wheezed to 3.7 yards per carry (tied for 29th). Impending free agent Mendenhall is fully expected to walk.

Rashard Mendenhall carried the ball just six times for 19 yards and added two receptions for one yards versus the Browns in Week 17.

Mendenhall was splitting carries early in the game, but gave way to Jonathan Dwyer as the clock-killer in the second half. Had the Steelers not banished Mendenhall after his two-fumble game at Cleveland in Week 12, it's fair to wonder if they would be playing next week. The impending free agent finishes an injury-ravaged season with a paltry 182 rushing yards on 51 attempts (3.57 YPC). He's an extreme long shot to return to Pittsburgh in 2013.

Rashard Mendenhall will play on Sunday versus the Bengals.

Mendenhall is returning from a team-imposed one-game suspension due to not showing up for the December 9 game against the Chargers. Mendenhall, an impending free agent, has not played since fumbling two of his four carries against the Browns in Week 12. He is still firmly behind Jonathan Dwyer and Isaac Redman in the running back pecking order.

Rashard Mendenhall returned to the Steelers on Monday following his one-game team-imposed suspension.

It's believed the Steelers have kissed and made up with Mendenhall after his suspension for a "conduct detrimental to the team." Mendenhall didn't show up for the Steelers' Week 14 game after being told he'd be a healthy scratch. Jonathan Dwyer has struggled on the ground, so it's conceivable that Mendenhall could be reinserted into the lineup for Week 16 against Cincinnati.

Sources tell ESPN that the Steelers and Rashard Mendenhall "are communicating and committing to meaningful contractual conversation."

According to coach Mike Tomlin, Rashard Mendenhall has "accepted" his one-game suspension for conduct detrimental to the team.

"He looks forward to coming back and re-joining this team and being a positive contribution to our efforts the rest of the way," Tomlin said. "Obviously there is frustration with this situation, understandably, but we all have a job to do." Tomlin's words are an indication Mendenhall will be back for Week 16, but he's likely to remain a healthy scratch. Mendenhall can be dropped in all redraft leagues.

Steelers suspended Rashard Mendenhall one game for conduct detrimental to the team.

According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Mendenhall did not show up at Heinz Field for last week's game after being told he would not dress. The Steelers certainly aren't doing Mendenhall's free agent value any favors with the benching, but it's hard to find fault with their decision in the NFL's "not for long" league. It's quite possible that Mendenhall has played his last game in black and gold. Jonathan Dwyer is as entrenched as any Steelers lead back has been all season. Baron Batch was elevated from the practice squad to function as Pittsburgh's fourth tailback.

Rashard Mendenhall is a healthy scratch once again in Week 14.

Jonathan Dwyer will be the Steelers' feature back for the second straight week and is a good bet for 15-plus carries. He'll be backed up by short-yardage vulture and third-down back Isaac Redman. Mendenhall, an impending free agent that may have played his last snap as a Steeler can safely be dumped in fantasy formats. He's been outplayed by Dwyer this season.

Rashard Mendenhall is inactive for Week 13 against the Ravens.

Mendenhall wasn't on this week's injury report, so he's a healthy scratch. It's a vote of confidence in newly-anointed starter Jonathan Dwyer, and an ominous sign for Mendenhall's Pittsburgh future. Mendenhall will be an unrestricted free agent in the offseason. The Steelers will roll with Isaac Redman and change-of-pace rookie Chris Rainey behind Dwyer this afternoon. If you're hurting for a roster spot in your 12-14 team league, consider Mendenhall a low-risk drop. Also inactive for the Steelers are QB Ben Roethlisberger, QB Byron Leftwich, WR Jerricho Cotchery, OLB LaMarr Woodley and CB Demarcus Van Dyke.

Rashard Mendenhall has been demoted to No. 3 running back behind Jonathan Dwyer and Isaac Redman.

Mendenhall had been listed as the first-string tailback all season. The change on the official depth chart of both Mendenhall and Mike Wallace suggests coach Mike Tomlin may be trying to light a fire under his veterans after an eight-turnover game at Cleveland. Mendenhall was responsible for two of them. He can be dropped in 12- and 14-team leagues.

Rashard Mendenhall rushed four times for six yards and fumbled twice in the Steelers' Week 12 loss to the Browns.

Mendenhall started, but lost a fumble on his second carry of the game. He didn't get back on the field until the third quarter and then fumbled again. Mendy didn't lose that one, but he was still benched. There's no way we can trust him against the Ravens in Week 13, even if Mike Tomlin can. Mendenhall is averaging just 3.32 YPC on his 34 totes this season anyway.

Coach Mike Tomlin said he doesn't know who he will start at running back in Sunday's game against the Browns.

Making his return from an Achilles' injury, Rashard Mendenhall rushed 11 times for 33 yards in Pittsburgh's Week 11 loss to the Ravens, adding three catches for 17 yards.

Mendenhall "started" and got the Steelers' first carry, but rotated touches with Jonathan Dwyer, and failed to better Dwyer on either the field or stat-sheet. Active for the first time since Week 6, he did look healthy, however, at one point prompting NBC's Cris Collinsworth to compare him to a Daning With The Stars contestant. Dwyer was the Steelers' most effective back this evening, but didn't do enough to put an end to the Steelers' committee backfield. Look for a similar "hot-hand approach" in Week 12 against the Browns, with Dwyer being a slight favorite for touches.

Rashard Mendenhall (Achilles) is active for Week 11 against the Ravens.

Mendenhall will start, but the Steelers will likely go with a running-back-by-committee, with whomever gets the "hot hand" among Mendenhall, Jonathan Dwyer and Ike Redman in line to bring home the most touches. If Mendenhall looks good early, Dwyer should sub in as a change-of-pace back, with Redman handling third downs. Inactive for the Steelers are QB Ben Roethlisberger, WR Antonio Brown, S Troy Polamalu, OT Marcus Gilbert, LB Stevenson Sylvester, LB Adrian Robinson and CB DeMarcus Van Dyke.

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin confirmed that Rashard Mendenhall (Achilles, probable) will get the start on Sunday night versus the Ravens.

"Mendenhall is going to start. He's healthy, and so we're going to do that, but you're going to see all backs," said Tomlin. This has been the thinking all week, but it's looking like a shaky fantasy situation. Mendenhall will handle early downs with Jonathan Dwyer being the change-of-pace back, and Isaac Redman will play on third down. Mendenhall is the lone back in Pittsburgh we trust as a flex play.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette confirms Rashard Mendenhall (Achilles') is expected to start on Sunday Night Football against the Ravens.

It will be Mendenhall's first appearance in over a month; he last played in a game on Thursday Night Football against the Titans on October 11. After such a long layoff in an offense that may struggle to move the ball without Ben Roethlisberger, Mendenhall can't be counted upon as more than a risky flex play, despite a favorable matchup with an underperforming Baltimore run defense.

Isaac Redman said Thursday that it "looks like" Rashard Mendenhall (Achilles) will start versus the Ravens in Week 11.

Rashard Mendenhall (Achilles) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice.

It's an upgrade on Week 10, where Mendenhall was limited for all three sessions. It's rare for a player to be a full participant in Wednesday's practice only to sit out on Sunday, so Mendenhall should be considered a go, barring a setback. The question is, how will things shake out between Mendenhall, Isaac Redman and Jonathan Dwyer against the Ravens. The Steelers will likely go with the dreaded "hot-hand approach," but Dwyer is the best bet for carries.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports Rashard Mendenhall (Achilles) is expected to return for Week 11.

Coach Mike Tomlin deemed Rashard Mendenhall (Achilles) questionable for Week 11.

It's the exact same words Tomlin used exactly one week ago when describing Mendenhall's outlook for Week 10. We won't have a real read on his status until the Steelers return to practice. We do know that if cleared, Mendenhall will start and get the first crack at a "hot hand." He's well worth owning in just about all fantasy formats.