Pittsburg Steelers K Jeff Reed, who was cited for public intoxication and disorderly conduct Sunday, will play this week against the Vikings. Coach Mike Tomlin said Santonio Holmes was inactive last year after a marijuana citation because it was a potential distraction occurring later in the week. The difference this time is that he has the “opportunity to address” Reed’s incident since it happened early this week.

Elsewhere around the NFL:

Cleveland: The Browns have placed ILB D’Qwell Jackson (shoulder) on injured reserve, ending his season. Jackson was third in the league in tackles even though he was playing through a hamstring injury the past several weeks. Jackson, who will be an unrestricted free-agent in the offseason, will be replaced by rookie Kaluka Maiava and second-round pick David Veikune.

Philedelphia: The Philedelphia Eagles have acquired LB Will Witherspoon from the Rams in exchange for WR Brandon Gibson and a 2010 fifth-round pick. The Eagles completed the trade even though Witherspoon was carried off the field Sunday with an apparent knee injury. We are assuming that Witherspoon’s injury must not be serious and the Eagles team doctors had a chance to evaluated the newly acquired LB.

Pittsburg: Steelers coach Mike Tomlin confirmed Tuesday that Rashard Mendenhall has officially passed Willie Parker on the depth chart at tailback. “It’s great to have Willie back,” Tomlin said, “but Rashard has the hot hand.” This change was bund to come, as Mendenhall fits the “smash-mouth” mentality of Tomlin. Parker will assume the role of a change of pack back.

Dallas: Dallas Cowboys Jerry Jones informed reports on Tuesday that RB Tashard Choice will receive an increase in carries. Jones says Barber (quad) is in better shape than he was two weeks ago, but “Tashard is certainly earned and going to get a big part of the load.” Felix Jones (knee) is expected to return this week, but Choice is the only back able to play at full speed and is a good play at RB2 in 12 team fantasy leagues.

Green Bay: Packers WR James Jones is now the Green Bay Packers‘ full-time No. 3 receiver due to Jordy Nelsons knee injury. Jones had 55 yards and a touchdown in Week 6 and coach Mike McCarthy said he has “all the confidence in the world” in Jones.

Green Bay: Radio station 1250 AM WSSP in Milwaukee is reporting the Packers have signed RB Ahman Green. However, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, no decision has been finalized yet. If the team signs Green, he will probably take over Brandon Jackson’s role as the third-down back.

Oakland: Raiders RB/FB Gary Russell is expected to take over as the Raiders’ starting fullback. Russell was always too big and not fast enough to be an effective tailback in the NFL. Coach Tom Cable praised his “explosiveness” as both a blocker and a receiver after Sunday’s performance against the Eagles.

Washington: The Redskins have signed OT Levi Jones, formerly of the Bengals. Jones was recently not offered a contract after working out for the Lions and Packers.

Last year Pittsburgh Steeler Coach Mike Tomlin said that he was going to run Willie Parker “until the wheels fall off”.  Well prophetically that is exactly what happened.  Parker was leading the NFL in rushing when he suffered a broken fibula against the St. Louis Rams last December.  Mike Tomlin has said numerous times since then that he made a mistake by running Parker so much.  He also noticed how many successful teams like the New York Giants utilized a two running back system.  It kept both running backs from being worn down during a long and violent NFL season.

Coach Tomlin decided on a solution to the problem:  Rashard Mendenhall.  The 23rd overall draft pick by the Steelers out of the University of Illinois, was brought in to serve as a potent one two puch along with Parker.  The fact that the Steelers were able to pick up Rashard so late in the draft was a steal in itself.  Most boards had Mendenhall as the number 2 overall running back behind the two time runner-up for the  Heisman trophy and Oakland Raiders running back Darren McFadden. Mendenhall is a powerful back who is very strong and extremely fast for his size.  Mendenhal is built like a fullback, but when you see him with the football you realize that he is every bit of a running back.  Mendenhall put up outstanding numbers as a junior at Illinois against Big 10 competition.  And then there was his phenomenal game against USC in the Rose Bowl.

Well now Rashard Mendenhall has to step up earlier that Coach Tomlin would have liked.  Willie Parker is out for the Steelers monumental divisional game with their hated rival the Baltimore Ravens.  Just like it is going to be rough for a rookie quarterback like Joe Flacco to start against a defense like the Pittsburgh Steelers; it is going to be equally tough if not tougher for a rookie running back like Mendenhall to start against the famed Ravens defense.  Ray Lewis and crew will be licking their chops to get a chance to put a statement hit on the rookie running back.  While Mendenhall has everything that a coach would want physically in a running back, he has to make improvements in his mental aspects of the NFL game.  While playing in the preseason games for the Steelers, Mendenhall displayed problems with holding on to the ball.  To say the least, this is something that he has to correct asap before his battle with the Ravens defense on Monday night.

Rashard Mendenhall is the future for the Pittsburgh Steelers at running back, even though don’t count out fast Willie Parker anytime soon.  For Mendenhall and the Steelers the future is now.  It is up to Mendenhall to prove to Coach Tomlin, the Pittsburgh organization, and his Steeler teamates that he was the correct choice for the storied NFL franchise.  For a true competitor, their is no better defense to take up the challenge against than the Ravens.  Their is no stage greater for a NFL rookie than Monday Night Football.  Run Rashard Run.