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Top back returning Sunday

PITTSBURGH — Insisting he feels well with no setbacks after a full week of practice, running back Rashard Mendenhall is set to return for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Because of an Achilles injury, Mendenhall has missed all four games of a winning streak that the Steelers (6-3) carry into their Sunday showdown with the Baltimore Ravens (7-2).

Mendenhall had not been through a full practice in more than a month, but made it through complete workouts Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. He is officially listed as probable.

“He looks like he’s back to his old form,” running back Isaac Redman said. “He’s making all the cuts, it looks like he has his burst. So he looks good.”

With former 1,200-yard rusher Mendenhall back, the Steelers have to decide how to split carries between he, Redman and Jonathan Dwyer. Redman and Dwyer each had 100-yard rushing games while Mendenhall was out.

“All three of us are going to play,” Redman said. “And we’re just going to keep it rolling throughout the game and try to keep a fresh running back in there at all times. We’re going to try to pound them.”

Dwyer and Redman have been steadfast in maintaining that, when healthy, Mendenhall — a 2008 first-round pick — is the first-team back. A free agent after the season, Mendenhall said he feels 100 percent healthy.

“I wouldn’t step out there if that wasn’t the case,” he said. “I feel good with where I’m at.”

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