The NFL confirmed a *New York Daily News* report that Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall's rushing total from last Sunday's 22-17 loss to the Jets has been reduced from 100 yards to 99.
The league didn't clarify Thursday why the change was made, but Steelers coach Mike Tomlinconceded Tuesday that the team was mistakenly awarded a first down on a 9-yard, second-quarter run by Mendenhall.
On first-and-10 from the Jets' 35, Mendenhall gained 9 yards to the 26. After momentary confusion as the chain crew began moving the sticks, referee Peter Morelli's crew put the ball down at the 25 and signaled a first down.
"They spotted it as a first down, and, in that situation, it worked in our favor so we moved on," Tomlin said. "I did think he was a yard short."
The hastily awarded 10-yard carry awarded Mendenhall an extra yard that wound up giving him a 100-yard game. The Steelers went on to score a touchdown on Ben Roethlisberger's 9-yard pass to Matt Spaeth.
Mendenhall entered Thursday night's game against the Carolina Panthers with 1,172 rushing yards, seventh-most in the NFL. He was averaging 83.8 yards per game.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
