Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin told the team's official website that running back Rashard Mendenhall will start Sunday night against the Baltimore Ravens.
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Mendenhall missed the last four games with an Achilles injury.
Steelers running backs coach Kirby Wilson previously said Mendenhall would return to the starting lineup when healthy. Backups Jonathan Dwyer and Isaac Redman raised the question with their play in Mendenhall's absence. Dwyer averaged 95 rushing yards in three games while Mendenhall was sidelined. Redman ran for 146 yards on 26 carries against the New York Giants in Week 9.
The Ravens likely will see a combination of all three Sunday, considering Mendenhall hasn't had game action in more than a month. The Steelers would love to get Mendenhall and the ground game rolling with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger out. That'll be easier said than done since the Ravens' defense doesn't have to worry about the quarterback's play-making ability. Byron Leftwich just doesn't have the same skills inside or outside the pocket.
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