Parker, Hampton out for Steelers in Week 4

By Neal Coolong  |   Wednesday, September 24, 2008  |  Comments( 1 )

Pittsburgh Steelers
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Steelers rookie running back Rashard Mendenhall will be baptized by fire Monday night.

Starter Willie Parker is sidelined with a sprained knee he suffered at the end of the Steelers' 15-6 loss at Philadelphia on Sunday, thrusting Mendenhall - who has 10 carries for 28 yards this season - into the starting lineup. He couldn't have picked a tougher opponent. The Steelers have not had a 100-yard rusher against Baltimore since Week 16 of the 2004 season, and that was Jerome Bettis. Parker never has cracked the century mark against the Ravens, whom the Steelers face Monday night.

Nose tackle Chris Hoke will also get a rare start because Pro Bowler Casey Hampton will be sidelined with a groin injury. Starting defensive end Brett Keisel will miss his second straight game with a calf injury.

Commentary: The Steelers beat the Ravens in Week 9 last season when quarterback Ben Roethlisberger threw five touchdown passes, and linebacker James Harrison had nine tackles, 3.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and an interception. Their inability to run the ball was thanks more to the fact the Steelers yanked their starters while holding on to a 31-0 lead.

This game will be completely different. Coincidentally, the Ravens were banged up during that game last year, having both starting cornerbacks, Samari Rolle and Chris McAlister, out. The Week 17 matchup saw the Steelers sit most of their starters because they had already clinched the AFC North championship.

The Ravens have been equally unable to run the ball in previous showdowns with the Steelers. The Ravens have failed to rush for 100 yards in their last eight games, dating back to Jamal Lewis' 117 yards in Week 17 of 2003 - the same game he broke the 2,000-yard mark for his season. Hampton's absence is never a good thing for the Steelers' defense, but Hoke is a good replacement.

Fan Pulse: Steelers loyalists on PittsburghLive - a fan forum - are discussing Mendenhall's first professional start.

Fantasy Football Impact: It's never been a smart move to start a running back in a Steelers/Ravens game. This week is likely no different. The Ravens will divide carries among Willis McGahee, Le'Ron McClain and rookie Ray Rice. Mendenhall dropped a pass against Philadelphia in Week 3, and fumbled three times in the preseason.

Injury Watch: Outside of Hampton and Parker, the Steelers pronounced Roethlisberger healthy after he left last week's game with a hand injury. Ravens strong safety Dawan Landry suffered a spinal cord concussion, and will not play Monday. He is expected to return this season, though.
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About Neal Coolong

Neal Coolong is a freelance sports writer with contributions to Scout.com, AOL and Steelers Live. He lives with his fiance in St. Paul, Minn., and saves every dime (that she knows about) for their wedding next June. He's already made the prediction that the Steelers 2007 draft class will be one ...
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