Mendenhall off PUP list, still won't play Week One

Posted by Michael David Smith on August 17, 2012, 5:10 PM EDT

AP

The Steelers took Rashard Mendenhall off the Physically Unable to Perform list, which means they expect him to play during the first six weeks of the regular season.

But they don’t expect him to play Week One.

Mendenhall is not expected to be ready for the regular-season opener and may not play in any of the Steelers’ three September games, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports.

After suffering a torn ACL on January 1, Mendenhall hasn’t been expected to return for the start of the regular season, and it was a surprise when the Steelers took him off the PUP list today. But if he had stayed on the PUP list into the start of the season, he would have had to sit out at least the first six weeks of the regular season. Going off the PUP list now means the Steelers will have to count Mendenhall toward their 53-man roster limit, but they can put him on the field whenever he’s ready.

At the moment, it’s looking like the best bet for when Mendenhall is ready is Week Five against the Eagles, after the Steelers’ Week Four bye.

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Dwayne Bowe signs franchise tender

Posted by Michael David Smith on August 17, 2012, 1:55 PM EDT

Getty Images

Chiefs receiver Dwayne Bowe is ready to get back to work.

Bowe, the franchise player who has been absent from all offseason work, training camp and the start of the preseason, has now signed his franchise tender.

That means Bowe will play this season for a base salary of $9.5 million, and the signing now means he’ll have three weeks to get up to speed before the start of the regular season. There had been conflicting reports in the last couple of weeks about how soon Bowe would sign, but there was little doubt that he’d be ready to go for Week One, and now that is assured.

Bowe is the last of the franchise players to sign with his team. The list of high-profile NFL holdouts is now down to two: Steelers receiver Mike Wallace, who hasn’t signed his one-year restricted free agent tender, and Jaguars running backMaurice Jones-Drew, who has two years left on his current contract but is holding out in the hopes that the Jaguars will give him a new deal.

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Friday morning one-liners

Posted by Josh Alper on August 17, 2012, 8:32 AM EDT

AP

The battle among the Bills receivers for playing time rages on.

There’s a range of opinions about whether the Dolphins should start QB Ryan Tannehill.

Patriots WR Deion Branch is fighting for a roster spot.

Jets starters are slated to play a half on Saturday.

Cutting ice cream out of his diet helped Ravens RB Anthony Allen lose 10 pounds.

The Bengals say LB Vontaze Burfict is fine after taking a hit to the head on Thursday night.

Browns coach Pat Shurmur was happy with his defense’s performance against the Packers.

CB Ike Taylor says Steelers camp was the most intense of his career.

The Texans’ reserve defensive tackles will get a chance to shine this weekend.

Making the Colts isn’t the first tough task LB Tim Fugger has had to tackle.

Jaguars LB Nate Bussey will meet the Saints team that recently cut him.

The Titans hope to see S Robert Johnson flash his big play ability on a regular basis.

Manny Ramirez said he’s ready to step in for injured Broncos G Chris Kuper.

Chiefs coach Romeo Crennel is pleased with what he saw from his team during camp.

Raiders coach Dennis Allen isn’t afraid to delegate responsibilities to his staff.

Former Chargers TE Kellen Winslow has been named vice president for athletics and wellness at Lakeland College.

A look at why S Barry Church is ready to start for the Cowboys.

Giants T Will Beatty can’t shake his back injury.

Eagles T Todd Herremans is a fan of former Eagle Tra Thomas.

The Redskins signed DL Marlon Favorite to take the place of Chris Neild, who will miss the season with a torn ACL.

Former Bears DT Steve McMichael is dipping his toe into politics.

Lions fans want to see the team sign RB Jeff Demps.

Packers rookie S Jerron McMillian had some big hits on Thursday night.

Competition is increasing for spots on the Vikings’ wide receiver depth chart.

Falcons CB Asante Samuel admitted he did a poor job on a 50-yard touchdown by Bengals WR A.J. Green.

Kealoha Pilares hopes to have a big impact with the Panthers this season.

Saints QB Drew Brees announced the birth of his third son.

Buccaneers WR Mike Williams hopes to recapture his rookie form.

The Cardinals starting offense is going to see extended playing time this week.

Coach Jeff Fisher is welcoming back past Rams stars.

49ers coach Jim Harbaugh thinks QB Alex Smith has an expert understandingof the team’s offense.

Said Seahawks coach Pete Carroll, “The quarterback process has been excellent. We’ve learned a ton. And guys have been very compliant to make it a really good camp. They’ve worked really hard to add to it on the field. So I’ve got no complaints at all.”

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