Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin confirmed on Tuesday that Isaac Redman has earned the teams starting running back position.
In a news conference, Tomlin told reporters:
“We know what Isaac is capable of. He’s answered the bell for us in the past. We expect him to do it in a big way moving forward.”
Isaac Redman played in the Steelers’ first preseason game but sat out the remainder of game because of a pinched nerve in his shoulder.
During the press conference, Tomlin said Redman “has a clean bill of health” from team doctors.
Joining Redman in the depth chart is rookie Le’Veon Bell. While Bell may be listed as a starter, he will be out for Sunday’s game against the Tennessee Titans as he nurses a mid-foot sprain. Bell was recently spotted wearing a walking boot but may very well take part in individual drills during practices this week.
Tomlin said the rotation behind Isaac Redman has not yet been set. It is likely based on the teams depth chart that LaRod Stephens-Howling will be the third-down back and Felix Jones will serve as the relief man for Redman who will now have his work cut out for him as Bell continues to recover.
Jones played in two preseason games which led him to steal the position from sixth-year veteran Jonathan Dwyer.
Both Stephens-Howling and Jones were acquired in an August 23 trade with the Eagles .
Tomlin said of Felix and his role with the team:
“We’re continuing to get to know Felix. We like his natural run instincts. He quickly proved that he can do some positive things in terms of running the football.”
Redman opened last season as the starting running back but ended the season with just two touchdowns on 410 yards.
Do you think Isaac Redman is the right choice to open the NFL season for the Pittsburgh Steelers?