Gerry: Mendenhall back; Ben, Brown, Polamalu out

Friday, 16 November 2012 12:03

Written by Gerry Dulac

            The Steelers will be without their top quarterback and wide receiver when they play the Ravens on Sunday night, but they will have their top running back in the lineup.

            Rashard Mendenhall, who has missed the past four games with an Achilles tendon injury, is expected to return and start against the Ravens.

            However, wide receiver Antonio Brown did not practice all week and will miss his second game in a row with a high-ankle sprain. He will join quarterback Ben Roethlisberger on the sidelines.

            Also, Pro Bowl safety Troy Polamalu will miss his sixth game in a row with a torn right calf muscle.

            Mendenhall was injured Oct. 11 in Tennessee, which was his second game back after returning from off-season anterior cruciate ligament surgery.

            In his absence, the Steelers had three 100-yard rushing performances in four games – two by Jonathan Dwyer and one by Isaac Redman.

            The Steelers are expected to dress all six running backs for the game because of special-teams duties.