With Rashard Mendenhall and Mewelde Moore just spectators at practice on Wednesday a lot of the workload at running back fell into the welcoming hands of Isaac Redman.
"I just try to make the best out of every situation," said Redman. "If they can't go, I will probably be out there first, second and third down. It will be a lot to take on, but I welcome it."
Redman has been spelling Mendenhall all season to keep him fresh, but getting the extra reps in practice with the first team is something he knows will be beneficial if he does have to start or see more playing time against the Titans on Sunday at Heinz Field.
"It's a lot easier for me," said Redman. "If Mendenhall goes out the first series and I am in there, you aren't as prepared. You aren't used to it. In practice I will get more reps, different looks and run the plays that will be called. I will be prepared for that.
"I am preparing like I am going to be the main guy carrying the ball in the game. I have to prepare to carry the load."
Through four games Redman has 22 carries for 107 yards, a 4.9 yard average. He has two receptions out of the backfield for 18 yards.
"You can't do too much dancing in the backfield," said Redman. "That is how we lose yards. I would rather have a zero yard run than a loss. Our line is beat up, there is some inexperience. We have to establish the run. We need it. We need to shut people up. We have Max Starks back. Hopefully he can add some spark to the offensive line and we can get some movement."
Ben Roethlisberger was among a long list of players who didn't practice on Wednesday, but despite a sprained foot is still hoping to play on Sunday.
"We will just take it day-by-day and kind of see how it goes," said Roethlisberger. "If it's just a pain tolerance thing I'm going to be out there. I can deal with pain, we just want to make sure that structurally it's sound and we give our team the best chance to win."
Roethlisberger was still wearing a walking boot around the team's practice facility mostly for precautionary measures. *
"*I can get around without it on, it's a little painful," said Roethlisberger. "It's more of a precautionary thing to be out on the field."
This is the latest in a series of injuries to Roethlisberger, but he says it's not something he worries about.
"When I go out at the start of the year, I play every game like it's my last," said Roethlisberger. "If this is my last year, this is my last year, that's the way I play the game. I play every game like it could be my last. I'm going to go out and play it. We'll all go out and do what we have to do to win. If guys have to play hurt, they do that. That's the motto in this locker room and on this team, guys suck it up and if they can't the next guy steps up and does a great job."
Linebacker Lawrence Timmons isn't at all concerned about moving from inside to outside linebacker this week to step in for the injured James Harrison.
"I played the past two or three years outside a couple of times," said Timmons. "In the nickel packages I am rushing outside so I am going against tackles too, so it's not like I am out of my realm outside.
"You get an opportunity to rush the passer more outside so that's a good thing. Inside you get more tackles; outside you get an opportunity to get more sacks. I like sacks. I will take this as a great opportunity for me."
