The Pittsburgh Steelers officially are keeping their starting running back situation under wraps for now, but that is not stopping Isaac Redman from viewing it as his job to lose.
"I go out there with the first team, do the first four reps, that's normally what the starter does," Redman said Monday, per the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "I'm just preparing as I'm the starter until they tell me otherwise."
It makes sense for Redman to start. Le'Veon Bell is hurt, Felix Jones was acquired less than a fortnight ago, LaRod Stephens-Howling returned from a sprained MCL just last week and Jonathan Dwyer is looking for work after being cut Saturday.
The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported Tuesday that the Steelers will list Redman OR Bell as the starter heading into the season opener.
The rookie, Bell, appears to be the eventual starter, but he is entering the third week of rehabbing a small tear on a ligament in his right foot. He wasn't expected to be ready this week, but the Tribune-Review's report suggests the Steelers still are holding out hope. The original diagnosis indicated Bell would miss around six weeks, according to NFL.com's Ian Rapoport.
"I'm out of the boot," Bell said. "I've been trying to jog and do little foot workouts. I'm not going to rush this process. I'm going to just take my time with it and make sure I'm back 100 percent."
It's a certainty that the Steelers' backfield will be a full-fledged committee, especially once Bell returns. Until then, Redman most likely will get the first chance to prove he can carry the load.
UPDATE:Steelers Coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday morning that Redman has a "clean bill of health" and will start in Sunday's opener.
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