Steelers do expect Rashard Mendenhall to play in 2012

Mar 26, 2012

The Steelers expect running back Rashard Mendenhall to play in 2012. What they don't know is when or in what capacity. Mendenhall tore his ACL in the Steelers' regular-season finale, and general manager Kevin Colbert said later that the two-time, 1,000-yard rusher probably would need a year to fully recover.

"To clarify, what I said was I never think players coming off an ACL are 100 percent for a full year. It doesn't mean they can't play," Colbert said Sunday before the start of the NFL owners meetings. "At some point, we'll have Rashard back. I'm confident of that." Mendenhall, a first-round pick in 2008, is going into the final year of his contract.

Fantasy Impact:

Mendenhall injured his knee in the team's regular season finale, so he'll be hard pressed to contribute at the start of the season, and probably won't be himself until 2013. If the Steelers don't shore up the RB position any further, Isaac Redman would get a big boost in value.

yesterday

Saints RB Alvin Kamara off injury report ahead of Week 15

Tom Pelissero

yesterday · 4:30 PM EST

The Saints officially listed QB Derek Carr (left hand/concussion) as doubtful for Sunday vs. Washington. Jake Haener will make his first NFL start.

RB Alvin Kamara (illness) is off the injury report and good to go.

Related Players: Kendre Miller

Fantasy Impact:

It would have been an easy click for a Kendre Miller week if Kamara were forced to miss, but this puts the kibosh on that. Fire Kamara up as an RB2 this week in a game that may feature him even more than usual with no Carr.

Seahawks RB Kenneth Walker Doubtful for Week 15

Ian Rapoport

yesterday · 4:28 PM EST

The Seahawks list RB Kenneth Walker III (calf) as doubtful for Sunday's game.

Related Players: Zach Charbonnet, Kenny McIntosh

Fantasy Impact:

Looks like a clear runway for another Charbonnet week in what should be a tightly contested game against the Packers at home. Fire him up as a fringe RB1/2.