The Facts: While the Steelers had no interest in free agent RB Mike Tolbert, they do have one very big concern at the position. They do not believe Mendenhall will be of much use to them in 2012, which is the final year of his contract. It’s possible Mendenhall may have had his last carry with the Steelers.

Diehards Line:Post-Gazette staffer Ed Bouchette, citing team sources, reports the Steelers will not count on Mendenhall returning to form until at least the 2013 season and his contract with the Steelers will have expired by then. GM Kevin Colbert basically said he’s not counting on him until 2013 when he said this on Feb. 13: “I never feel good about an ACL until a year. I’m not a doctor, but that's my mindset. If he gets back before that, to me it's a bonus.” Even if he does get back before that, however, Bouchette advised readers that Mendenhall is not expected to be at the level he was before the injury. For now, that leaves the team with Isaac Redman as their starter and Jonathan Dwyer, John Clay and Barron Batch in the stable behind him.