Mendenhall placed on IR, to miss playoffs

PITTSBURGH, Jan. 3 (UPI) -- Pittsburgh running back Rashard Mendenhall, who has a knee injury, was placed on the injured reserve list Tuesday, the Steelers said.

The designation means Mendenhall, the team's leading rusher, will be unavailable throughout the playoffs. Pittsburgh plays at Denver Sunday in an AFC wild card game.

Mendenhall, 24, suffered an injury to the anterior cruciate ligament of his right knee on the final play of the first quarter last Sunday against Cleveland.

He led the Steelers in 2011 with 928 rushing yards on 228 carries. His nine touchdowns were also a team high. Isaac Redman was second on the team with 479 yards in 110 carries and three touchdowns.

The Steelers also said safety Ryan Clark won't play at Denver. Clark has a health condition that can be affected by high altitude. He had to have his spleen and gall bladder removed after playing in Denver in 2007.

Ryan Mundy will start in Clark's place.