Ed Bouchette reports that Steelers running back Baron Batch will not practice in the team's rookie minicamp this weekend, even though he is allowed to. It therefore appears that his ACL injury (the one that ended what would have been his rookie season before it even started) continues to be an issue.
↵↵↵Batch isn’t yet ready to practice after having ACL surgery in the middle of August. So, nearly nine months later, he apparently has not been cleared to go.
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That's too bad for Batch, because there will be plenty of opportunities at the running back position this year, thanks in part to Rashard Mendenhall's injury. (Mendenhall himself had ACL surgery, and Bouchette suggests that Batch's current situation shows that Mendenhall might not play for the Steelers at all in 2012.) Isaac Redman will get the bulk of the playing time. The Steelers picked Florida running back Chris Rainey in the fifth round of this year's NFL Draft.
↵UPDATE: Batch himself (via Steelers Depot) responds:
↵↵↵Gees people don't believe everything you read on the Internet. Especially from sites that make up information so they have stories.
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He also says he's not participating in the minicamp not because he's hurt, but because he's no longer a rookie and therefore isn't required to be there.
↵For more on the Steelers, check out Behind The Steel Curtain.