Rashard Mendenhall won't rule out playing in Week 1

May 25, 2012

Steelerss RB Rashard Mendenhall said he will play this season, and he didn’t rule out doing so in the
Sept. 9 season opener in Denver.

Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert has said it usually takes a year to fully recover from that injury. And the Steelers have braced for the possibility that Mendenhall will spend the first six weeks of the season on the physically unable to perform list.

Mendenhall is in the final year of his contract, but the Steelers’ 2008 first-round pick plans on playing through whatever risk comes with returning this season. When asked if there is any chance he won’t play in 2012, Mendenhall said, “I don’t see that happening at all.”

Fantasy Impact:

Mendenhall tore his ACL extremely late in the season, so we're not expecting him to return to form in 2012. He's a strong candidate to start the season on the PUP list, which means he'd be out for the first six weeks of the season. Even if he is available early in the season, the Steelers will probably ease him back into action and lean on the very capable Isaac Redman, who has a better career YPC (4.5 to Mendenhall's 4.1). Due to the overwhelming positivity that prevails at this point in the offseason, this situation is a little murky right now, but most of the signs point to Redman having the better year.

yesterday

Cowboys hope to get WR Brandin Cooks (knee) back for Week 12

Calvin Watkins on X

yesterday · 5:55 PM EST

Mike McCarthy said he's hoping Cowboys will get WR Brandin Cooks (knee) back this week.

Fantasy Impact:

Cooper Rush will get the start at QB again against the Commanders in Week 12. CeeDee Lamb led the way with 12 targets vs. the Texans, but it was Luke Schoonmaker, who took over after Jake Ferguson left with a concussion, who had 10 targets which was most behind Lamb. The addition of Cooks should help the Cowboys offense in what is a good matchup against the Commanders defense. For the fantasy world, Rush did end up throwing for 354 yards.

Cowboys will start Cooper Rush at QB in Week 12

Calvin Watkins on X

yesterday · 5:48 PM EST

Mike McCarthy said Cooper Rush "will be the starter" this week against Washington and a package of plays will be formed for Trey Lance.

Fantasy Impact:

McCarthy came out and said he regrets not giving Lance a chance to run the offense in the loss to the Texans on Monday Night, but even after that the team is going forward with Rush in Week 12 against the Commanders. One would have to assume Rush gets the start the following week as well, which is a short week and a game on Thanksgiving Day game against the Giants.

49ers TE George Kittle (hamstring) 'close' to playing in Week 11

The Athletic

yesterday · 3:18 PM EST

Shanahan said George Kittle was “close” to playing against Seattle and should be able to practice Wednesday.

Fantasy Impact:

It's at least a good sign Kittle is expected to practice Wednesday. The hope is he will be ready to go in Week 12. The 49ers play at the Packers, and it's in the later Sunday window so owners will certainly want to pay attention to what kind of work Kittle can get in this week at practice.