FANTASY FOOTBALL NFL PLAYERS

Posted: 5/1/2013 5:40pm et

Pittsburgh Steelers RB Isaac Redman appears to have an edge over RB Jonathan Dwyer for the No. 2 running back job at this point.

Huddle Up: Sounds like Redman and Dwyer are battling for Le'Veon Bell's leftovers, with a modicum of fantasy value to the winner.

Posted: 4/24/2013 3:58pm et

The Pittsburgh Steelers consider RBs Isaac Redman and Jonathan Dwyer better suited as complementary backs and are looking to add a starting running back in the 2013 NFL Draft or free agency.

Huddle Up: The suggestion here is that despite Rashard Mendenhall's departure you shouldn't extrapolate feature back touches for either of the remaining Pittsburgh backs. If the Steelers are unable to find a back they like in the draft, brace yourself for an RBBC in Pittsburgh.

Posted: 4/19/2013 1:31am et

Pittsburgh Steelers restricted free-agent RB Isaac Redman has signed his one-year tender offer. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Huddle Up: Ahmad Bradshaw has been linked to the Steelers this offseason, but has yet to sign, and right now, Pittsburgh's No. 1 RB would either be Jonathan Dwyer or Redman, who gained a career-high 654 yards from scrimmage in 2012.

Posted: 2/17/2013 10:56pm et

The Pittsburgh Steelers may offer the lowest tender to restricted free-agent RBs Isaac Redman and Jonathan Dwyer this offseason. The team could also decide to make an offer to only Redman.

Huddle Up: With fellow RB Rashard Mendenhall also an unrestricted free agent and not expected back, the Steelers are in a position to perhaps choose between Redman and Dwyer and chase a big-name FA RB -- Steven Jackson has been rumored to be a possibility -- outside the organization.

Posted: 12/20/2012 2:03pm et

Pittsburgh Steelers RB Isaac Redman feels the offense has abandoned the running game in recent weeks. The Steelers have 17 rushes in each of their past two games - the first time the team has had fewer than 20 rushing attempts in consecutive games since 1991. Pittsburgh's 34 rushing attempts the previous two weeks were the fewest in the NFL, and their 138 yards rushing over that span is third-worst in the league. 'Some games, it feels like we just go away from it,' Redman said. 'We didn't run the ball bad (against the Dallas Cowboys), we weren't getting smashed the last game, we just didn't run it that much. We had 16 or 17 runs. When we were winning games, we were up in the 30 mark and we pretty much win when we do that. Hopefully, we can get back to that.'

Huddle Up: It's made it near-impossible to put any fantasy faith in any of the Steelers' RBs, but starter Jonathan Dwyer could be worth a look after he gashed Week 16 opponent Cincinnati for a season-high 122 rushing yards in Week 7.

Posted: 11/20/2012 8:00pm et

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin says RB Isaac Redman (concussion) has done well on his post-concussion tests and could play in Week 12.

Huddle Up: If Redman plays, it'll just make more of a mess out of the Steelers' backfield with Rashard Mendenhall and Jonathan Dwyer already splitting touches. In that scenario, it would be hard to trust any one of the 3 beyond a flex or RB2 slot, aside from the deepest of leagues.

Posted: 11/19/2012 1:31am et

Updating a previous report, Pittsburgh Steelers RB Isaac Redman suffered a concussion in the first half of the Week 11 game against the Baltimore Ravens and did not return.

Huddle Up: The Steelers' stable of three healthy RBs didn't last long as Redman departed this hard-hitting AFC North affair early. He finished with 1 carry for 5 yards, leaving the rest of the work to Rashard Mendenhall and Jonathan Dwyer.

Posted: 11/13/2012 12:38pm et

Pittsburgh Steelers RB Jonathan Dwyer (quadriceps) saw 19 carries for 56 yards in Week 10 against the Kansas City Chiefs, while RB Isaac Redman (ankle) had eight totes for 21 yards. Dwyer also hauled in a 4-yard reception, while Redman had two grabs for 18 yards. Redman also lost a fumble.

Huddle Up: Either Redman or Dwyer had posted a 100-yard game in each of the previous 3 weeks, and the Steelers definitely were looking for similar production against the 1-7 Chiefs on a soggy night in the Steel City. Starter Rashard Mendenhall (Achilles'), who sat out his fourth straight game Monday, could be return soon and will likely assume his place in the starting lineup -- and take over the bulk of the workload -- when he does.

Posted: 11/10/2012 8:34pm et

Updating a previous report, Pittsburgh Steelers RB Isaac Redman said he will be the starting running back in Week 10.

Huddle Up: Redman is coming off a 147-yard, 1-TD effort a week ago and should see most of the touches Monday night, but don't count out Jonathan Dwyer, who sat out Week 9.

Posted: 11/4/2012 11:55pm et

Pittsburgh Steelers RB Isaac Redman had 26 carries for 147 yards and a touchdown in Week 9 against the New York Giants with RBs Jonathan Dwyer (quadriceps) and Rashard Mendenhall (Achilles') sidelined. Redman also added two receptions for four yards.

Huddle Up: Redman has missed 2 straight games himself due to injury but gave the Steelers a big-time lift with Mendenhall and Dwyer sidelined. If all 3 backs get healthy over the coming weeks, the Steelers will have a nice problem, but it likely will make for a timeshare fantasy headache.

Posted: 11/2/2012 2:49pm et

Pittsburgh Steelers RB Isaac Redman is expected to start Week 9 because of the injury to RB Jonathan Dwyer (quadriceps).

Huddle Up: Just like that, Dwyer gets Keyser Soze'd. Redman will start and likely split carries with Baron Batch, similar to the Thursday night game from Week 6 when Rashard Mendenhall went down early. Redman had a good game that day, but only because the Titans seemed intent on not tackling him when he caught a pass. Redman has some flex value this week, but nothing more.

Posted: 10/26/2012 5:53pm et

Pittsburgh Steelers RB Isaac Redman (ankles) is dealing with issues in both ankles. Redman did not play in Week 7 with the ankle issue and is questionable for the team's Week 8 game.

Huddle Up: Ankles are kind of important for football players, and having both injured could be bad for business. The Steelers have not ruled Redman out for this weekend's contest, but it looks like he could be out for a second consecutive week. Jonathan Dwyer is already starting, but absences by Rashard Mendenhall and Redman will be beneficial to Dwyer's fantasy value.

Posted: 10/25/2012 4:30pm et

Pittsburgh Steelers RB Isaac Redman (ankle) was limited during practice Thursday, Oct. 25.

Huddle Up: This unit continues to struggle to stay on the field.

Posted: 9/7/2012 2:41pm et

Pittsburgh Steelers RB Isaac Redman (ankle) fully participated in practice Friday, Sept. 7, but said his ankle is still not 100 percent. He is not sure if he or RB Jonathan Dwyer will start Week 1.

Huddle Up: This is a perplexing situation for anyone who owns a Pittsburgh running back. A month ago it was clear Redman would begin the season as a starter. Injuries and Dwyer's emergence had muddled things. Whoever starts is in line for some decent fantasy opportunity, but it might be safest to avoid this backfield until it clears up.

Posted: 9/5/2012 2:49pm et

Pittsburgh Steelers RB Isaac Redman does not know if he will be the starter Week 1. 'I really don't know what's going on,' Redman said. 'I don't know if it depends on my health.'

Huddle Up: Redman has gone from promising sleeper to troublesome fantasy starter in recent weeks. We are not sure if this means the Steelers really do plan to trot Rashard Mendenhall out there despite his comeback from a torn ACL, or if this means Jonathan Dwyer will sneak in a start. It looks increasingly like you should stay away from the Pittsburgh backfield in Week 1 barring a last-minute development.

Posted: 9/5/2012 11:48am et

Pittsburgh Steelers RB Isaac Redman must get over his ankle injury if he is to be considered for the starting job in Week 1 against the Denver Broncos. Head coach Mike Tomlin indicated RB Jonathan Dwyer might be a candidate to start if Redman is not 100 percent.

Huddle Up: It's a Sunday night game so fantasy owners won't have the luxury of making a game-time decision unless they own both Redman and Dwyer. The Steelers' backfield looks like a hot crowded mess right now, so if you have alternatives on your roster this is a fine time to employ them.

Posted: 8/23/2012 12:04pm et

Pittsburgh Steelers RB Isaac Redman acknowledged his nagging hip injury could be a season-long problem. "I'm a downhill runner and take a lot of pounding. I'm not really sure how the hip is going to hold up or if it's going to hurt at all, or if I'm going to be fine. I'm just going to go day to day and see how it feels," Redman said. He went on to note that it basically comes down to how much pain he can tolerate with it. "It might nag me throughout the year. I'm just going to have to fight through the pain," he said. Redman returned to practice Tuesday, Aug. 21, and was happy to wake up without pain Wednesday. Redman hopes to play in the team's third preseason game. "Right now, I feel good. I feel a lot better than I did last week," Redman said.

Huddle Up: Redman was poised to be the Steelers' every-down back while Rashard Mendenhall recovered from last season's knee injury. Now, with Mendenhall off the PUP and Redman nicked himself, this is shaping up to be an RBBC with a bunch of backs operating at less than 100 percent. There's still upside to Redman if he can withstand the pounding, but it's not nearly as enticing as it was a week or two ago.

Posted: 8/22/2012 12:15pm et

Pittsburgh Steelers RB Isaac Redman said an MRI revealed he had a hip injury, not a groin injury. He is practicing again and, barring a setback, could start in Week 1. "I'm trying to do what I can do without triggering it, without making it worse," Redman said. "Hopefully, I can just keep getting better and better and not have a setback. We're just trying not to push it too hard."

Huddle Up: The Steelers are banged up in the backfield, but if Redman is healthy enough to go he should get the start in Week 1. Whether his hip injury or Rashard Mendenhall's miraculous recovery cause the Steelers to spread the carries around remains to be seen, and that uncertainty has turned the spike in Redman's fantasy draft stock into a decline.

Posted: 8/17/2012 5:17pm et

Pittsburgh Steelers RB Isaac Redman (hip, groin) will not play in the preseason game Sunday, Aug. 19, but will not need surgery on his hip injury. He could return to practice as early as next week.

Huddle Up: Some slightly good news for Redman owners or anyone targeting him in the middle rounds. Mendenhall's surprise activation from the PUP added to his injury woes, but it looks like he will be back sooner than later.

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

Pittsburgh Steelers RB Isaac Redman hopes to be able to return to practice by Monday, Aug. 20. He had an MRI on his troublesome groin injury Thursday, Aug. 16, and was not able to practice during the day.

Huddle Up: Redman remains in line for the carries while Rashard Mendenhall recovers from his knee injury. The MRI and the fact he had to leave practice aren't necessarily good news, but there's plenty of preseason left and right now there are no indications Redman won't be the guy when the Steelers open the regular season.

Posted: 8/15/2012 5:50pm et

Pittsburgh Steelers RB Isaac Redman (groin) attempted to practice Wednesday, Aug. 15, but failed to make it through the practice, instead falling to all fours painfully and not returning.

Huddle Up: The MRI looked less worrisome when Redman went out for practice, but falling on all fours in pain was not the end result fantasy owners were looking for. Keep an eye on his status. Jonathan Dwyer is also banged up, leaving Chris Rainey as the top healthy back in Pittsburgh.

Posted: 8/15/2012 12:44pm et

Pittsburgh Steelers RB Isaac Redman (groin) will have an MRI on his groin injury.

Huddle Up: Redman's stock had steadily been climbing this offseason as he assumed the starter role with Mendenhall's injury, but a significant groin injury should give fantasy owners pause. Wait to see the results of the MRI; hopefully it is not terribly serious and he will be back at full speed before the season begins.

Posted: 8/2/2012 12:18pm et

Pittsburgh Steelers running backs coach Kirby Wilson said Wednesday, Aug. 1, that RB Isaac Redman will be the team's top third-down back this season. Last season on third-and-short, he converted 10 of 11 touches into first downs.

Huddle Up: With Rashard Mendenhall still sidelined with the knee injury he suffered late last season Redman is in line to be the Steelers' every-down back. Knowing that he'll be on the field in third-down and short-yardage (read: goal line) situations even if/when Mendenhall is healthy makes Redman an attractive fantasy back currently undervalued with an ADP late in the seventh round.

Posted: 8/1/2012 1:13am et

Pittsburgh Steelers RB Isaac Redman enters the season as the team's No. 1 running back on the depth chart. 'It's just crazy how time changes,' Redman said, remembering back to his rookie year when he almost failed his conditioning test with the team. 'I'm here coming in as No. 1 on the depth chart. I feel like a totally different player, I feel like a professional. I'm taking on a leadership role in the running back room, guys are looking up to me,' Redman said.

Huddle Up: Back in March or April you could call Redman a sleeper because Rashard Mendenhall's surgically-repaired knee was sort of under-reported. By now all the signs point to Mendenhall opening the season on the six-week PUP. Redman is no longer a sleeper. Half the guys in your league are eyeing him. Believe it.

Posted: 6/17/2012 1:28am et

Pittsburgh Steelers RB Isaac Redman is expected to take snaps with the starting offense during the team's minicamp next week. Redman's between-the-tackles running style potentially gives the offense a better shot at getting back to a physical brand of football. Since the start of the 2010 season, RB Rashard Mendenhall averaged 3.9 yards per carry, the fifth worst among the 28 players with at least 300 rushes in the past two seasons. Mendenhall also had the second fewest yards after contact (1.6 per carry) among running backs with at least 200 carries.

Huddle Up: Mendenhall appears destined to start the 2012 season on the PUP list, with no guarantee he'll return at all this year. Redman, meanwhile, was effective in relief of Mendenhall last year and will get every opportunity to reprise that role in Pittsburgh's offense.

Posted: 5/23/2012 9:18pm et

Pittsburgh Steelers RB Isaac Redman practiced with the first string in the first two days of organized team activities on Tuesday and Wednesday. Redman is in tremendous shape after modifying his diet in the offseason and increasing his cardio workouts.

Huddle Up: Meanwhile, Rashard Mendenhall is rehabbing a surgically-repaired ACL (torn in the season finale) and reportedly hasn't begun cutting yet. SteelersDepot.com speculates that Mendenhall could begin the regular season on PUP, thus forced to miss the first six weeks.