Steelers still seeking some answers to running game

Associated Press

PITTSBURGH

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has spent the last six weeks talking about the weapons at his disposal.

Two weeks into the season, it appears the running backs were left out of the mix.

The Steelers (1-1) are a ho-hum 20th in the league in rushing yards heading into Sunday’s game against winless Indianapolis, though the team stresses it’s too early to say the running game is in trouble.

Falling behind quickly in the season opener against Baltimore forced them to resort to the pass early. The numbers were better in a 24-0 win over Seattle, but Pittsburgh had difficulty moving it on the ground in the second half while trying to protect a big lead.

Running back Isaac Reedman says he expects things to even out as the jumbled offensive line learns how to play together.

Bengals

CINCINNATI

Andre Caldwell is finally getting his chance.

The receiver has spent most of his three seasons watching others run the routes and catch the passes, starting only a dozen games. He was in line for a bigger role last year, until the Bengals signed Terrell Owens at the start of training camp.

He started this season sharing the slot receiver job with Jordan Shipley, who tore up his knee during a 24-22 loss in Denver on Sunday and is out for the season. That means Caldwell will get the expanded role he’s always wanted, taking over as the primary slot receiver for Cincinnati’s home opener on Sunday against San Francisco.

Caldwell took over when Shipley got hurt and finished with three catches for 27 yards and a touchdown.

49ers

SANTA CLARA, Calif.

Wide receiver Braylon Edwards has undergone a surgical procedure on his injured right knee and will be out for a while, though coach Jim Harbaugh refused to speculate or provide further details.

Edwards limped off with the knee injury after making a 21-yard catch on the third play from scrimmage in a 27-24 overtime loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday.

It’s a tough blow for San Francisco (1-1) as the team hits the road for two weeks, with a stay in Youngstown between Sunday’s game at Cincinnati and a Week 4 visit to Philadelphia.

Michael Crabtree is expected back on the field against the Bengals after he was inactive last week nursing a troublesome, surgically repaired left foot that he aggravated again in a Week 1 win over the Seahawks.

CARDINALS

TEMPE, Ariz.

Beanie Wells is off and running as “the man” in, so much so that it’s not a stretch to ask why he’s not carrying it more.

The third-year pro from Ohio State has flirted with 100 yards rushing in each of his two games, gaining an average of 5.7 yards each of the 32 times he has carried the ball. Quarterback Kevin Kolb says it’s time to push Wells over that 100-yard barrier on Sunday when Arizona plays at NFC West rival Seattle, a team playing its home opener after an 0-2 start on the road.

Jets

FLORHAM PARK, N.J.

Center Nick Mangold says he is still preparing as if he will play Sunday at Oakland despite having a high ankle sprain.

Mangold, injured early last Sunday in the win over Jacksonville, was off crutches Wednesday, but his right foot was still in a boot. He says it’s still “tender” but adds that “it’s getting better.”