The Pittsburgh Steelers have announced that they have suspended running back Rashard Mendenhall for one game for conduct detrimental to the team. The reason for the suspension was because Mendenhall did not report to Heinz Field after he was told he would not play.
The one-game suspension will cost Mendenhall $41,176.
It has been a forgettable and absent season for Mendehall as he spent most of the year on the sideline while battling knee and Achilles injuries and became ineffective when he did play, fumbling twice on four carries in a game against the Cleveland Browns, which led to his benching.
The benching followed by his suspension points to all signs that he most likely will not be with the Steelers next season, especially since he is also an unrestricted free agent.
The Steelers will move forward with Jonathan Dwyer and Isaac Redman, both are restricted free agents in 2013 and would not be surprised to see the Steelers select a running back in the 2013 draft.
Mendenhall’s downfall started in May of 2011 when he questioned the events of September 11, 2001 and expressed his opinions as being a supporter of Osama Bin Laden on Twitter, losing an endorsement deal as well as the respect of many fans and players.
It remains to be seen if any other team will be interested in acquiring the 2008 draft pick whose best years may be behind him.
