You've just got to love an athlete's blind optimism. Latest case in point: Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall . He tweeted this on Friday: "My knee has healed wonderfully, thanks for all the well wishes." The knee in question is Mendenhall's right, the one in which he tore his ACL on New Year's Day against the Cleveland Browns.

Fantasy Analysis:

Unfortunately for Mendenhall, the feeling isn't so mutual in other corners. I think Mendenhall will play this season at some point. But it would take a near-miracle for him to be on the field in time for week 1, and many hold the thought that the Steelers will place Mendenhal on the PUP list prior to the season's start, which would force him to miss at least the first six games. Isaac Redman would stand to get the majority of the touches out of Pittsburgh's backfield for as long as Mendenhall is M.I.A. Jonathan Dwyer will pitch in as well. He's a reserve fantasy RB while I think Dwyer will be a low-end RB2/flex at the outset.