Mike Tomlin

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin watches from the sidelines during an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday. "It was a strong run-game performance," Tomlin said. (AP photo / October 24, 2012)

By CHRIS ADAMSKI Associated Press Daily American

12:16 a.m. EDT, October 24, 2012

Tomlin did not mention names when talking about possible benchings. DeMarcus Van Dyke, a cornerback claimed off waivers from the Oakland Raiders late in training camp, has been one of the players flagged multiple times.

 

Without Mendenhall and Redman, the Steelers still had their best running performance of the season Sunday. That could create another tough decision for Tomlin down the road. Jonathan Dwyer had 122 rushing yards against Cincinnati after being deactivated for each of the two previous games. Also, rookie Chris Rainey had the go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter.

 

If all of Pittsburgh's running backs are healthy, who suits up against the Redskins? And how will the carries be split up?

 

"We're going to base those judgments on what it looks like as these guys prepare and get closer to game action during the week," Tomlin said. "We're not going to hypothesize as to what that might be. We'll simply react to it and come up with the best formula that suits us for being successful this week."

 

The Steelers improved their league rank in rushing yards from 31st to 26th with the 5.9 yards-per-carry performance in Cincinnati. This despite the fact that Pouncey and Gilbert were replaced by Doug Legursky at center and rookie Mike Adams at tackle, respectively.

 

"It was a strong run-game performance," Tomlin said. "I thought we did a nice job up front getting hats on hats. I thought all the running backs did a nice job, of course highlighted by Jonathan Dwyer's efforts, but also Chris Rainey and Baron Batch and others I thought did a nice job."