Rashard Mendenhall Out Until Week 5?

Mike Bires of the Beaver County Times does not expect Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall to make his season debut until Week Five.

“The Steelers are playing without Rashard Mendenhall, who’s in the last leg of his knee-surgery rehab. He’ll probably make his 2012 debut in Week 5 after the Steelers’ bye,” wrote Bires.

This shouldn’t come as much of a surprise to anyone. While Mendenhall has been practicing and taking reps with the first-team, the Steelers are exercising caution with their young back to assure he is 100 percent healthy upon returning to the field.

Backup Jonathan Dwyer is dealing with a foot injury that is believed to be a turf toe, which could mean more work for Isaac Redman in the near future.