Rashard Mendenhall To Return In Week 5

Aug 8, 2011; Latrobe , PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall (34) during training camp at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-US PRESSWIRE

The struggling Pittsburgh Steelers running game will finally receive a boost in week 5 with the return of starting running back Rashard Mendenhall. Mendenhall spent the early part of the season recovering from a torn ACL he suffered at the end of last season.

The Steelers currently have the 31st ranked rushing offense in the league so Mendenhall’s return will be very welcomed.

“I’m really just waiting on my opportunity,” Mendenhall said. “I just want to continue to work and, as we as an offense sort of form ourselves and bring the pieces together, I want to bring whatever piece I bring.

“But we struggled as a running game early in the season last year, and that’s part of it. We just want to continue to grow and, as long as we get better and not worse, that’s what we want to do. But we see it from a different light — we see how close we are (to breaking out) so we just will keep working.”

Mendenhall has admitted that he does not have all of his cutting ability back just yet but he is healthy enough to contribute to the team. He understands there will be a transition period in new offensive coordinator Todd Haley’s offense but Mendenhall is ready to start his 2012 campaign.