PITTSBURGH, Jan. 2 (UPI) -- Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall has a torn knee ligament and will be lost for the playoffs, the team confirmed Monday.
The Steelers confirmed a story by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that Mendenhall will be placed on injured reserve, WPXI-TV, Pittsburgh, reported.
Advertisement
The 24-year-old, who finished the season with 928 yards rushing and nine touchdowns, was hurt Sunday in the first quarter of Pittsburgh's win over Cleveland after running for a 5-yard gain.
The Post-Gazette reported he will have surgery within two weeks.
The Steelers got the news as they prepared to enter the post-season with a 12-4 mark, holding the No. 5 seed in the AFC playoffs.
