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Rashard Mendnehall misses Thursday's practice, Isaac Redman and Shaun Suisham limited

The Steelers may be looking at a thinned out backfield for the second straight game as Rashard Mendenhall missed his second consecutive practice this week, and Isaac Redman participated on a limited basis.

Joe Sargent

Rashard Mendenhall (Achilles) missed his fifth consecutive practice Thursday, dating back to last week, putting the likelihood of dressing and playing in Pittsburgh's Week 8 game against Washington in doubt.

Isaac Redman (ankle) also missed the Steelers' Week 7 game, and did not practice Wednesday. He was available on a limited basis Thursday, though.

It seems Jonathan Dwyer would get his second career start if either is not healthy enough to play, but the inclusion of all of them in there could suggest limited snaps for all of them.

It's also possible Dwyer, who set the team high for Steelers' individual rushing yards in 2012 with 122 last week against the Bengals, could be the odd man out. The Steelers could dress Mendenhall, Redman and Baron Batch over Dwyer.

Seems like a silly idea, but Batch's value comes in special teams play and in specialty offensive packages. Dwyer is really competing more with Redman and Mendenhall.

Another point of note is kicker Shaun Suisham (ankle), who's 14-for-15 kicking this season (and 5-for-5 from 40-49 yards) has been limited the last two practices. Teams don't mess around with injuries to kickers, and if his power is going to be hindered, it wouldn't be a shock to hear them make a move to bring someone in for a game.

The fact he has been kicking, though, likely means he'll be able to go.

Outside linebacker Adrian Robinson (concussion) was limited in practice for the second consecutive day, as OLB Jason Worilds recovered from an illness that kept him out of practice Wednesday to return for a full workout Thursday. LB Brandon Johnson (hamstring) was limited on Wednesday but didn't practice Thursday.