Coach Mike Tomlin suggested that RB Isaac Redman must get over his ankle injury to start at Denver Sunday night.

Redman did practice on Monday, but Tomlin lumped him in with players such as Rashard Mendenhall and James Harrison in seeing "where the week takes us." Despite Tomlin's newfound optimism on Mendenhall, it's doubtful that he will play in the opener. The upshot is that Jonathan Dwyer could be in line for a major role this week.

Beat writer Dale Lolley suggests Jonathan Dwyer's emergence could push Isaac Redman (ankle, hip) into more of a short-yardage, third-down role.

The Steelers gave Dwyer 13 first-half carries Thursday night to see how he would fare with a full workload. "Don't be surprised" if Dwyer gets the start over Redman at Denver next Sunday night, warned Lolley. Dwyer has the look of a major fantasy sleeper while Redman continues to be over-drafted in the seventh round.

Steelers RB Isaac Redman was held out of Monday's practice with an ankle injury.

Coach Mike Tomlin suggested it was a minor injury, so look for Redman to return later in the week. Already playing through hip soreness, Redman is an injury risk heading into the season. We prefer to take a late-round flier on Jonathan Dwyer as opposed to drafting Redman as a flex option.

Isaac Redman was held to 24 yards on 12 carries and a touchdown in the Steelers' third preseason game.

Redman remains the favorite for early-down and short-yardage work with Rashard Mendenhall (knee) sidelined, but will continue to be limited by his skill-set. We expect Redman to be used in a committee with Jonathan Dwyer and rookie RB/WR Chris Rainey until Mendenhall returns. Dwyer finished with 49 total yards against the Bills, despite having a negative yards-per-carry average. Rainey led the Steelers in rushing and scored a 41-yard touchdown against third-stringers. In two preseason starts, Redman has 38 rushing yards on 17 carries. His longest run in those games is six yards.

Steelers RB Isaac Redman (hip) expects to see significant action in Saturday's game versus the Colts.

Redman has been relatively pain-free in three practices this week. "Actually, I thought I'd be a little sore this week form practicing," Redman said. "I wasn't sure how my body would react, but I don't feel anything (painful) right now. I kind of feel like I never really injured it." We are still shying away from Redman in fantasy drafts.

Isaac Redman suggested Wednesday that the hip injury sidelining him at Steelers camp could be a season-long issue.

The injury has led to pain in Redman's groin. He doesn't need surgery, but may have to play through discomfort all year. "I'm not really sure how the hip is going to hold up or if it's going to hurt at all, or if I'm going to be fine," Redman said. "... It's pretty much a pain-tolerance thing. It might nag me throughout the year. I'm just going to have to fight through." His window of fantasy value has been cut to three games with Rashard Mendenhall due back after the Steelers' Week 4 bye, and it now sounds like Redman may not even be 100 percent during that span. Look for Redman to play in an early-season rotation with Jonathan Dwyer and impressive rookie Chris Rainey. We wouldn't draft Redman in fantasy leagues.

Isaac Redman's MRI showed that he will not require surgery on his hip and groin injuries, though he will miss the Steelers' second preseason game.

We never really expected to see Redman this weekend against the Colts, but the MRI results were good news looking ahead toward his regular season status. Rashard Mendenhall's activation remains a major concern for Redman's fantasy outlook. We don't see him offering RB2 value for more than three games.

Isaac Redman (Thursday) expressed no concern about the outcome of his MRI results on Thursday.

Redman provided no details, but vowed to be back on the field by Monday. We're taking a wait-and-see approach to the Steelers backfield in fantasy drafts. A "thinner and quicker" Jonathan Dwyer handled the first-team reps Thursday with Redman sidelined.

Updating a previous item, Isaac Redman left Wednesday's practice due to a sore hip.

It's not unusual for players dealing with groin injuries to develop soreness in the hip as well. The MRI results will be telling, but we're starting to get a sinking feeling about Redman's ability to produce as a fantasy starter this season.

Isaac Redman was forced from Wednesday's practice while trying to work through his injured groin.

Redman dropped to his knees, going down "on all fours in obvious pain," according to beat writer Ed Bouchette. The plan was for Redman to practice "in a limited capacity" before undergoing an MRI. Groin injuries can be as debilitating as turf toe for running backs trying to play through the pain. The MRI will determine the grade of the strain, though Redman's production could suffer even with a minor tear.

Isaac Redman is set for an MRI on his injured groin.

Redman hasn't been able to practice since rushing five times for 14 yards in the preseason opener last Thursday. The additional testing will determine the grade of his muscle strain. Already lacking burst, Redman can't afford to be playing at anything less than 100 percent. Fellow plodders Jonathan Dwyer and Baron Batch are next up on the depth chart as the Steelers' run game continues to trend downward.

Isaac Redman rushed five times for 14 yards and added two catches for four yards in Thursday's preseason opener.

The first play of the game was a delayed screen from Ben Roethlisberger to Redman. He stayed on the field for a couple more series, but proceeded to lose some passing-down reps to camp standout Chris Rainey. The performance did nothing to allay fears that Redman is a replacement-level talent.

Steelers RBs coach Kirby Wilson indicated that Isaac Redman is "absolutely" slated to be the top third-down back this season.

Although Redman doubled the third-down snaps of Mewelde Moore last season, it was news to him that he's keeping the role while also taking over as the primary early-down back. Redman is in line for a heavy workload through October. The question is whether fantasy owners can count on him as a viable starter once Rashard Mendenhall is back to full health.

Steelers RB Isaac Redman is "certain" he'll carry the load while Rashard Mendenhall recovers from a torn ACL.

Mendenhall is a candidate for the PUP list and could be out even longer. Redman has been the favorite to fill in for him since day one, but a lack of an impact signing or rookie selection confirms it. Redman feels he's picking up OC Todd Haley's drastically different playbook quicker than the rookies, which gives him a leg up. A candidate for 15-plus touches-per-game early on, Redman is a solid late-round fantasy pick.

Steelers re-signed exclusive rights free agents RB Isaac Redman, P Jeremy Kapinos, and NT Steve McLendon.

With Rashard Mendenhall's 2012 season in doubt, Redman currently sits atop the depth chart at tailback and could be in line for a heavy workload. Kapinos returns as the team's punter. McLendon will play second-fiddle to Casey Hampton.

Coach Mike Tomlin indicated the Steelers will add a running back via free agency or the draft this offseason.

Isaac Redman is still the heavy favorite to open the season as the feature back, as the free agent market is now paper-thin and the Steelers won't add a runner early in the draft. One possibility is adding a third-down back in case Mewelde Moore isn't re-signed and Baron Batch isn't ready for the role.

At his Monday press conference, Steelers GM Kevin Colbert talked up Isaac Redman as a potential answer in the backfield should Rashard Mendenhall (ACL surgery) miss a large chunk of the 2012 season.

"Our young backup contributors did a nice job (in 2011)," said Colbert, adding that Redman "established himself as an NFL running back." Colbert said tailback is not necessarily a need area for Pittsburgh, despite Mendenhall's knee surgery. Redman, who averaged a respectable 4.35 yards per carry in the regular season, racked up 121 yards on 17 rushes in the Steelers' playoff loss.

Isaac Redman rushed 17 times for 121 yards and caught two passes for 21 yards in the Steelers' Wild Card round loss to Denver.

Redman's 32-yard run in the third quarter was ruled a touchdown on the field, but overturned once replay showed his knee was down a yard shy of the end zone. Mike Wallace punched it in on an end-around one play later. The Steelers lose nothing with Redman playing in place of Rashard Mendenhall. Mendenhall tore his ACL in Week 17, so he may be headed for the PUP list. Redman will offer some intriguing early-season potential in 2012 fantasy drafts.

Isaac Redman confirmed that he will maintain third-down duties in addition to adding a feature back role for the Steelers during the playoffs.

Redman is replacing Rashard Mendenhall (torn ACL) and could add a James Starks-ish element to Pittsburgh's offense. While the Steelers are an inherently pass-happy team, Redman suits that philosophy as a superior pass blocker and receiver to Mendenhall. In Week 18, he'll have a favorable matchup against a Broncos defense that finished the regular season 22nd versus the run.

Isaac Redman will be the Steelers' starting running back in the playoffs.

With Rashard Mendenhall (knee) out, Redman and rookie John Clay are the only healthy backs in Pittsburgh. Mewelde Moore's (knee) status is unknown. Redman, an annual camp darling that earned the nickname "Red Zone" for his goal-line prowess, has also made major strides in the passing game. Additionally, he's averaged 4.5 yards per carry on 162 career totes. The drop-off between Redman and Mendenhall won't be severe.