Fitzgerald Cecilio

The Pittsburgh Steelers suspended running back Rashard Mendenhall one game for conduct detrimental to the team.

Mendenhall did not show up at Heinz Field for last week's loss to the San Diego Chargers after being told hewould not dress.

A person close to Mendenhall said the player felt the Steelers had given up on him and chose not to ride any of the team's buses to Heinz Field.

He learned of his demotion from starter to third on the depth chart the previous week by reading it on the internet.

Mendenhall has struggled staying healthy over the last 11 months. He tore the ACL in his right knee in the 2011 regular-season finale and strained his right Achilles earlier this season against the Tennessee Titans and never regained a firm hold on the starting job.

He will miss Sunday's game against the Dallas Cowboys.

Baron Batch was promoted from the Steelers' practice squad to replace Mendenhall.

Steelers Suspend RB Rashard Mendenhall for Absence - NFL 2012 Week 15