The Pittsburgh Steelers announced on Tuesday that running back Rashard Mendenhall was suspended one game for conduct detrimental to the team.
Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that Mendenhall did not attend the team’s home game against the San Diego Chargers on Sunday after being told he would not be active for the game.
Mendenhall has had a difficult season. He tore his ACL in January and was attempting to return from the injury. He saw his first action in Week 5 against the Philadelphia Eagles, and then missed four games after injuring his Achilles’ tendon the next game. He returned for a Week 11 game against the Ravens and had 33 yards on 11 carries. The following week, Mendenhall fumbled twice against the Cleveland Browns. He was a healthy scratch for Week 13 after that poor performance, and he was a healthy scratch again against San Diego.
Mendenhall is undoubtedly frustrated with the way his season has gone and with his limited role on the team. He was demoted to third string behind Jonathan Dwyer and Isaac Redman and he hasn’t played the last two weeks.
I understand why Mendenhall is upset, but he’s only hurting himself with his poor behavior. Not only is he set to lose just over $41,000 for missing the game, but fewer teams will be willing to sign a free agent running back who not only is coming off a knee surgery, but who also has a bad attitude when things don’t go his way.
