Talk about poor timing. Not only did Rashard Mendenhall sustain a torn ACL seven days before the Steelers' playoff opener, he did it heading into the offseason before his "walk year" as a potential free agent.
Two years after rushing for 1,273 yards and 13 touchdowns, Mendenhall has spent the first week of Steelers training camp at St. Vincent College on the physically unable to perform list. There are serious doubts he will be ready for the regular-season opener Sept. 9 in Denver.
With impending unrestricted free agency seven months away, Mendenhall would seem to desire a return to 100 percent health before taking part in game action.
"Yeah, but that's not something that's really on my mind (in terms of) being 100 percent," Mendenhall said between workouts Wednesday. "It's important regardless of what's going on, so that's my focus."
Mendenhall's production was down last season as Pittsburgh went to more of a pass-happy offense. He ended with 929 yards and nine touchdowns before the ACL in his right knee was torn in the regular season finale at Cleveland Jan. 1.
He has been working out on his own and rehabbing but did not participate in drills with his team at OTAs or minicamp. He will remain on the PUP list during training camp for at least the foreseeable future -- and probably into at least part of the regular season.
"Just getting basically back to normal strengthening-wise and getting it to fire like normal," Mendenhall said when asked what has to happen before he is cleared to fully practice.
Mendenhall refused to put a timetable on when he might come off the PUP list or play in a game.
"It's hard to determine what's going to happen in the future," he said, "but everything is going well right now. I'm doing everything I can right now."
Follow Steelers reporter Chris Adamski on Twitter @CBSSportsNFLPIT and @BuzzsawPGH.
