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PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers crowded backfield is sorting itself out. Just not the way coach Mike Tomlin envisioned. What started as a three-man race between Isaac Redman, Jonathan Dwyer and rookie LeVeon Bell is turning into a battle of attrition after Tomlin ruled Bell out of Saturdays game against Kansas City with a right foot injury. Bell underwent an MRI on Tuesday and Tomlin said he will wait for a second opinion before making a determination about Bells long-term status. Tomlin brushed aside reports that Bell is out several weeks. "Ill address the injuries (Thursday)," Tomlin said. "I havent met with the doctors (yet)." The setback is the latest in what is quickly becoming a frustrating camp for the 48th overall pick in the NFL Draft. The Steelers noted Bells durability and his versatility when they selected the 21-year-old out of Michigan State. Bells 382 carries last season led the entire country. Throw in his 32 receptions and Bell averaged more than 30 touches a game without incident. For two weeks, Bell looked even better than advertised, so good Tomlin named Bell a co-starter even though a sore left knee kept him out of the preseason opener against the New York Giants. Bell aggravated the injury in practice last week only to recover in time to start on Monday night in Washington. The highly anticipated debut lasted a handful of snaps. Bell carried four times for nine yards before tweaking a foot with an injury that suddenly swings the door open for Dwyer and Redman. Its a door both players have struggled walking through. Redman spent last season dealing with ankle injuries and was held out of Mondays game after suffering a stinger in practice. Dwyer stepped in and ran for 68 yards on 14 carries but also fumbled, a major concern for a team that finished minus-10 in the giveaway/takeaway ratio in 2012. "I think Im doing OK, but I know I can be better," Dwyer said. "Im just trying to be consistently consistent and show something different each and every week and each and every game." At the moment, the Steelers would settle for having the same face back there for an extended period of time. Offensive co-ordinator Todd Haley reshuffled the offensive line and introduced a zone blocking scheme in in the off-season. Results have been mixed at best for a team that ranked 29th in yards per carry a year ago. Though stressing its too early to get concerned, Dwyer and Redman understand its time to get serious. "LeVeons down, and were a little banged up," Redman said. "So, Im ready to step up and lead this room." Redmans done it sporadically in the past, but each step forward has been met by a step back. In a contract season, he understands this is his last chance to show the Steelers -- or some other NFL team -- he can become a reliable starter. His preference is to remain in Pittsburgh, but the Steelers intend to turn Bell into the guy who will carry the load through the rest of the decade. Haleys track record with running backs is impressive. He turned Jamaal Charles into the NFLs second-leading rusher in 2010 while coaching the Chiefs, a season that ended with Kansas City in the playoffs. For Pittsburgh to get back there the Steelers know theyll need to take some pressure off quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Having young and productive legs in the backfield will help. Bell is eager to live up to the billing. At the moment, however, the only place hes living is the training room. While Dwyer and Redman went through the paces on Wednesday, Bell sat on a table getting treatment. Its a place Dwyer and Redman have visited regularly through the years. One more extended trip and they understand their careers may be in jeopardy. Its why both players dropped a significant amount of weight in the off-season. Redman shed 15 pounds while Dwyer lost closer to 30. They hope the added quickness will make them more effective. Bells uncertain status gives them one final shot at making a lasting impression. Redman remains adamant he can produce. If he can, what looks like a tough call might turn into an easy one. "Im pretty sure that they would be glad if somebody would come out and separate themselves from the bunch," Redman said. "I know they would never be opposed to that. "And, hopefully, I can do that." Custom Arizona Diamondbacks Jerseys . The club says its first-choice centre back "underwent medical tests on Wednesday morning" which confirmed he has injured his right hamstring. The injury was caused in the second minute of Tuesdays 4-1 league win over Real Sociedad in the Camp Nou when teammate Sergio Busquets accidentally struck Mascherano just above the knee with an outstretched boot. Arizona Diamondbacks Jerseys .J. - Percy Harvin is ready to go, and theres no question in his mind hell be playing Sunday. http://www.diamondbackssale.com/diamondb...lez-jersey/.com) - Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price is set to return Tuesday against Nashville after sitting out the past two games because of a minor upper body injury. Randy Johnson Jersey .com) - Eric Fehrs goal 42 seconds into overtime lifted the Washington Capitals to a 5-4 come-from-behind victory over Columbus, halting the Blue Jackets seven-game win streak. Zack Greinke Jersey .com) - It appears both the Houston Rockets and Chicago Bulls will reach the playoffs, but the two squads are coming off losing efforts.RALEIGH, N.C. -- Carolina Hurricanes forward Jiri Tlusty will miss two to three weeks after having his appendix removed. The Hurricanes filled his spot by recalling forward Zach Boychuk from Charlotte of the AHL. The moves were announced Friday, about nine hours before Carolinas game against the Easstern Conference-leading Pittsburgh Penguins.dddddddddddd The team says Tlusty underwent an emergency appendectomy on Tuesday. This is the second time this season that Boychuk has been called up. He has eight goals and 13 assists in 86 career games with the Hurricanes, Penguins and Nashville. ' ' '