Rashard Mendenhall Suspension Puts Future With Steelers In Doubt

Rashard Mendenhall may have played his last game as a Pittsburgh Steeler. The running back received a one game suspension for “conduct detrimental to the team” and will not play this Sunday against Dallas.

Mendenhall’s decreased production this year, his attitude, and the fact that he’ll become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season puts Mendenhall’s future with the Steelers in doubt.

The Huffington Post reports that Mendenhall was demoted to third string after fumbling against Cleveland last month. Coach Mike Tomlin said that the running back would get the chance to redeem himself but Mendenhall never got the chance. He was made inactive for the last two weeks and last Sunday he didn’t even bother showing up to the field.

The Steelers wrote on their website:

“The Steelers have suspended running back Rashard Mendenhall for one game for conduct detrimental to the team.”

Mendenhall became the Steelers star running back in 2009 when he topped 1000 yards. He repeated the feat in 2010 and may have done the same in 2011 if it wasn’t for a late season injury.

This year, however, hasn’t gone well for Mendenhall. The running back has only played in four games this year. He has 113 yards on 34 carries and has not scored this season. Mendenhall missed the first three games of the year with an injury and then another four with an Achilles injury.

Running Back Baron Batch has been promoted to the practice squad to fill in for Mendenhall on Sunday.

Do you think Rashard Mendenhall has played his last game in Pittsburgh?