PITTSBURGH – Pittsburgh Steelers running back Isaac Redman spent most of the preseason on the bench as a precaution after tweaking his neck during practice.
That didn't stop coach Mike Tomlin from making Redman the starter for Sunday's season opener against Tennessee.
The Steelers cut Jonathan Dwyer — their leading rusher last season — and handed the starting job to Redman while second-round pick Le'Veon Bell recovers from a sprained right foot.
Redman has been effective when healthy. He ran for 410 yards in 2012 and can be effective in the passing game. Redman caught four passes for a career-high 105 yards in a 26-23 loss to the Titans last October.
Tomlin said he expects first-round pick Jarvis Jones to see plenty of time at linebacker. Jones sat out the preseason finale with a bruised chest.
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