The Pittsburgh Steelers have suspended running back Rashard Mendenhall for one game for conduct detrimental to the team according to steelers.com. Baron Batch has been promoted from the practice squad to replace him on the 53 man roster.
Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that Mendenhall was suspended because he failed to show up at Heinz Field for the game against the San Diego Chargers after being told he would not dress for the game.
Mendenhall has been inactive for the last two games after being demoted following his two fumbles in the loss to the Cleveland Browns. He has played in just four games this season after missing the first three games of the year as he finished up his recovery from his right knee injury suffered in the final regular season game last year against the Browns. The Steelers former first round draft pick also missed four additional games with an Achilles injury suffered in Week 5 against the Tennessee Titans.
Mendenhall, who has just 113 yards rushing on 34 carries in his limited action this season, is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season and the writing has been on the wall for several weeks that this will be his final season in Pittsburgh.
Batch spent the first 10 games of this season on the 53 man roster before being waived and signed to the practice squad.
