FANTASY FOOTBALL NFL PLAYERS

Posted: 12/18/2012 6:17pm et

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said the team is happy with the rotation they have at running back right now. RB Jonathan Dwyer has started the last two games with RB Isaac Redman backing him up. The club will find a role for RB Rashard Mendenhall.

Huddle Up: Dwyer has scored in 2 of the past 3 games, but neither Dwyer or Redman have managed to crack 50 rushing yards over that span. Mendenhall, meanwhile, hasn't played since Week 12, making any Pittsburgh back an extremely shaky fantasy start at best.

Posted: 12/11/2012 7:21pm et

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said he isn't making any changes to the running back situation heading into Week 15. Expect RB Jonathan Dwyer to remain the starter.

Huddle Up: Dwyer did notch a TD 2 weeks ago against the Ravens, but only had 32 yards on 8 rushes this past Sunday against the Chargers. He's the Steelers' back you want to start, but just don't expect too much.

Posted: 11/30/2012 11:52pm et

Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Todd Haley challenged RB Jonathan Dwyer this week to handle the bulk of the load without needing time to regroup. 'Jonathan's got to show he can take the bulk of the carries without needing a break or taking a few plays off on the sideline,' Haley said. 'That will be kind of what defines Jonathan as his career moves forward. He's getting a great opportunity. We've been excited about some of the things he's done, and hopefully he goes in and takes this role seriously and won't let us take him off the field.'

Huddle Up: Haley and Co. definitely need more out of Dwyer and the running game with third-string QB Charlie Batch starting for the second consecutive week. In the week 12 loss to the Browns, Pittsburgh netted only 49 rushing yards on 20 carries, and that's not to mention the 4 lost fumbles -- one by each of the top 4 backs. Dwyer's production in the contest was limited to 9 rushes for 19 yards and 2 catches for 9 yards.

Posted: 11/27/2012 1:07pm et

Pittsburgh Steelers RB Jonathan Dwyer is atop the team's official depth chart. RB Rashard Mendenhall, who had two fumbles in Week 12, is now behind RB Isaac Redman.

Huddle Up: Anyone who has seen more than a few Steelers highlights this season can see that Dwyer has been the team's best back, and that's backed up in the numbers as Dwyer leads the RBs in rushing yards (429) and average per carry (4.4). Whether that will translate into usable fantasy production remains in question as Redman and Mendenhall still figure to get their share of touches.

Posted: 11/21/2012 11:26am et

Pittsburgh Steelers RB Mike Tomlin said he is not sure who will start the team's Week 12 game at running back. Tomlin is uncertain how he will divide the workload between RBs Rashard Mendenhall, Jonathan Dwyer and Isaac Redman, if healthy. Redman performed well on his concussion tests and could play.

Huddle Up: Last week Mendenhall and Dwyer split the workload after Redman exited the game, with Dwyer the more effective of the two. The plan going into Week 11 was that Mendy would start, Redman would handle goal line work, and Dwyer was the change of pace guy; if all three are healthy that could be one approach for the Steelers. The best-case scenario for fantasy owners would be Redman sitting out another week, leaving you to decide between Dwyer and Mendenhall--with Dwyer having the edge based on more effective play of late.

Posted: 11/6/2012 3:51pm et

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said RB Jonathan Dwyer (quadriceps) is expected to return in Week 10.

Huddle Up: The RB musical-chairs game continues in the Steel City. Dwyer had back-to-back 100-yard rushing outings in Week 7 & 8 before he was sidelined by injury this past Sunday. Isaac Redman filled in with a 100-yard game of his own, but now things figure to be muddled with Dwyer's return. Expect even more uncertainty if Rashard Mendenhall (Achillies') comes back soon.

Posted: 11/1/2012 8:09pm et

Pittsburgh Steelers RB Jonathan Dwyer (quadriceps) was limited during practice Thursday, Nov. 1.

Huddle Up: Dwyer returned to practice after missing Wednesday's session but only was able to get in limited work. With Rashard Mendenhall (Achilles') also limited Thursday, Isaac Redman appears to be the healthiest Steeler back 3 days before their Week 9 clash with the Giants. As always, though, we should know more after practice Friday.

Posted: 11/1/2012 12:18pm et

Pittsburgh Steelers RB Jonathan Dwyer is expected to return to practice Thursday, Nov. 1.

Huddle Up: The Steelers are thin on healthy running backs; having Dwyer and his two-game streak of 100-yard games at their disposal this week would be good news for Pittsburgh's running game.

Posted: 10/30/2012 2:17pm et

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin isn't committing to RB Jonathan Dwyer (quadriceps) as the starting running back in Week 9 if he's healthy enough. Tomlin is hoping Dwyer can practice by Thursday, Nov. 1.

Huddle Up: If you read Under the Numbers this week, you saw the skepticism we have for Dwyer's longterm fantasy prospects. Rashard Mendenhall and Isaac Redman are practicing this week while Dwyer recovers from a minor injury. We do not know if Mendy and/or Redman will be good to go this weekend, but the likelihood is Dwyer will be shunted into a three-way committee once all three are healthy. Sell while you can.

Posted: 9/19/2012 4:38pm et

Pittsburgh Steelers RB Jonathan Dwyer (toe) did not participate in practice Wednesday, Sept. 19.

Huddle Up: No word on the severity of th einjury, but this could force Mendenhall back early. It could also mean an increased workload for Isaac Redman, who had a decent fantasy day against the Jets thanks to a goal line touchdown.

Posted: 9/11/2012 5:26pm et

Pittsburgh Steelers RB Jonathan Dwyer is expected to receive increased playing time during Week 2 against the New York Jets after being the team's only effective back during Week 1 against the Denver Broncos. Head coach Mike Tomlin said Dwyer has earned 'increased opportunity' because of his Week 1 effort. As a team, the Steelers ran 26 times for 75 yards, a 2.9-yard average. Dwyer toted the ball nine times for 43 yards.

Huddle Up: Dwyer definitely looked better in the Sunday night opener, running with determination and breaking tackles on several runs. With the return of Rashard Mendenhall (knee) still likely a few weeks away, Dwyer is worth a pick up for any fantasy GM mining for RB help.

Posted: 8/27/2012 9:05pm et

Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Todd Haley said he liked how RB Jonathan Dwyer played in the third preseason game Saturday, Aug. 25, especially the 33-yard pass he caught on a third down. 'That was a big time play, now,' Haley said. 'He didn't get as many opportunities running as in other weeks, but that was a big-time play when we needed it. Because that's the game, really. If that was a real game and you convert coming out of there and going 98 yards and they're burning their timeouts? That was a big play when you needed it most. Anytime you have a guy who does that, that's a real good sign.'

Huddle Up: Dwyer is the Steelers' second-leading rusher this preseason with 84 yards on 15 carries (5.6 avg.). He's also shown some skills as a receiver with 4 grabs for 46 yards. With Rashard Mendenhall still on the mend from last season's ACL tear, Dwyer is the Steelers back you want early in the season if you missed out on No. 2 man Isaac Redman.

Posted: 8/17/2012 12:18pm et

Pittsburgh Steelers RB Jonathan Dwyer was able to return to practice in pads Thursday, Aug. 16, for the first time this week. He suffered a shoulder injury during the team's first preseason game.

Huddle Up: Dwyer is the primary backup to Isaac Redman, who is expected to get the bulk of the carries while Rashard Mendenhall is out. And with Redman nursing an injury of his own, Dwyer needs to get back on the field and get some snaps if he hopes to carve out some of those carries for his own.

Posted: 8/12/2012 11:23pm et

Pittsburgh Steelers RB Jonathan Dwyer (shoulder) could be able to play in the second preseason game Sunday, Aug. 19. He suffered a sprained AC joint during the team's preseason opener Thursday, Aug. 9.

Huddle Up: Good news for the Steelers, who are without No. 1 RB Rashard Mendenhall as he recovers from the Week 17 ACL tear he suffered last season. Isaac Redman is atop the preseason depth chart with Mendenhall out, but Dwyer is No. 2, and Pittsburgh is counting on both players to share the load.

Posted: 8/10/2012 2:53pm et

Pittsburgh Steelers RB Jonathan Dwyer suffered a sprained shoulder in the first preseason game Thursday, Aug. 9, but it is not considered serious.

Huddle Up: Dwyer is currently the No. 2 RB on the depth chart behind Isaac Redman. Rashard Mendenhall (ACL rehab) is on camp PUP and reportedly hasn't tested his knee much at all yet.

Posted: 7/2/2012 7:19pm et

Pittsburgh Steelers RB Jonathan Dwyer has lost 20 pounds from his high of 240 pounds and is in better shape. Dwyer is ready to play a significant part in the team's offense this upcoming season. "I am just realizing how much it takes to get where you are in this league and how hard you have to work and push yourself," Dwyer said. "This is my year to prove something to myself, the league, to the organization, that I am worth more than what I was."

Huddle Up: Dwyer will back up Isaac Redman to start the season while Rashard Mendenhall is on the PUP list; being in shape bodes well for him having a larger workload, but right now he's still a second banana in the Steelers' backfield committee.