Steelers: Colon on IR, Mendenhall back on roster

The Steelers reinstated RB Rashard Mendenhall after he served a one-game suspension for failing to attend the Dec. 9 game against San Diego.

By Dale Grdnic

Dec 18, 2012 at 4:22 pm ET • 1 min read

The Steelers reinstated RB Rashard Mendenhall after a one-game suspension. (US Presswire)

The Pittsburgh Steelers placed G Willie Colon on the reserved-injured list to get suspended RB Rashard Mendenhall back on the 53-man roster to meet a 4 p.m. Tuesday deadline.

Colon, who was a Steelers' 2006 fourth-round pick from Hofstra, made 10 straight starts at left guard this season after 52 at tackle. It's the third straight season that Colon will not finish. He missed the 2010 season after an Achilles injury in the summer and was placed on injured reserve after an arm injury in the opener last year.

Mendenhall was suspended last week after not showing up for the Steelers' game against the San Diego Chargers on Dec. 9 at Heinz Field. He was reinstated Monday, and the club had a roster exemption for him until Tuesday at 4 p.m.

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday during his weekly press conference that Mendenhall will practice this week, and his status has yet to be determined for the game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday at 1 p.m. at Heinz Field.

Follow Steelers reporter Dale Grdnic on Twitter @CBSSteelers.