Report: Healthy Mendenhall unlikely

The Steelers do not expect running back Rashard Mendenhall to be fully recovered until the 2013 NFL season as he continues to mend following a torn anterior cruciate ligament, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported Monday, citing sources.

The 2012 season will be the final year of his contract, and it is reportedly possible Mendenhall has had his last carry with the team.

The sources said that if Mendenhall does return next season, the Steelers do not expect him to perform at the level he was at before he succumbed to the injury, while playing against the Browns in their last game of the 2011 regular season.

Despite the concern, the team is still unlikely to re-sign free agent Mewelde Moore, according to the report. That would likely leave the team with Isaac Redman as its starter. Redman, a fourth-year player, has started only one NFL game and has 726 rushing yards and three touchdowns in 163 career carries.

Mendenhall finished with 928 rushing yards and nine touchdowns last season.