Steelers Notebook: WR Emmanuel Sanders plans to appeal 'fake injury' fine

The NFL sent a memo to all its teams in September that said the issue of faking injuries has been frequently discussed by the Competition Committee. Did the Steelers pay attention?

By Dale Grdnic

Nov 10, 2012 at 2:12 pm ET • 2 min read

Steelers WR Emmanuel Sanders plans to appeal the $15,000 fine he received after the league said he faked an injury against the Bengals in October. (US Presswire)

The NFL sent a memo to all its teams in September that said the issue of faking injuries has been frequently discussed by the Competition Committee. But apparently it didn't register with the Steelers.

The NFL fined wideout Emmanuel Sanders $15,000 and the Pittsburgh Steelers $35,000, for Sanders' faking a leg cramp during an Oct. 21 game at Cincinnati.

"We're going to appeal it, and that's it,'' Sanders said. "I don't know what they were trying to do, but that's not for me to think about. We're just going to appeal it, and we'll deal with it then. I don't know who we have to appeal it to, but I'm talking with my agent and the NFLPA to find out just how we have to go about appealing it.''

Sanders said Steelers coach Mike Tomlin didn't say anything to him about the situation, and NFL executives Merton Hanks and Ray Anderson, in Pittsburgh Nov. 2 to talk with Sanders and Steelers management, didn't indicate anything to him one way or another, either.

"What can I do, but just get ready for the game against the Kansas City Chiefs Monday night,'' Sanders said? "I feel really good. It's going to be a good game, a great experience, my first Monday night game at Heinz Field. So, I'm looking forward to it.

"I'm looking forward to (getting a start at wideout), too, so we've got to make big plays for us to win. And I think we're going to do that. ... I'm returning punts, and Rainey will return kicks. It's all about repetition, so I caught a lot of punts (Saturday) and prepared myself for the opportunity that's coming.''

Sanders gets a start as a wideout and punt-returner, because Antonio Brown is out with a sprained ankle. Rookie Chris Rainey, who has injured ribs, will be a backup running back and return kickoffs. Both Brown and Rainey were injured against the New York Giants last Sunday.

"We'll see what happens come game time, but I feel way better,'' Rainey said. "Way better, and I'll definitely wear this (flak) jacket. So, I'm taking it day by day, but I feel way better. That's for sure.''

Isaac Redman said he's getting the start at running back, so Jonathan Dwyer will be the backup. Redman was out two games with ankle injuries, while Dwyer ran for more than 100 yards against Cincinnati and Washington. Dwyer missed the Giants game with a quad injury, and Redman ran for 147 yards and a score.

"Whenever you get an opportunity to start, you want to make sure you make the best of that opportunity, just like Dwyer did and I did last week,'' Redman said. "The decision-making is up to the coaches, but you definitely want to go out there and put your best foot forward and try to open some eyes.''

Injury update: WR Antonio Brown (ankle), OT Marcus Gilbert (ankle), SS Troy Polamalu (calf) and LB Stevenson Sylvester (hamstring) did not practice Saturday. ... RB Rashard Mendenhall (Achilles) participated on a limited basis, while RB Jonathan Dwyer (quad), RB Chris Rainey (ribs) and PK Shaun Suisham (left ankle) were full-time participants.

Brown, Gilbert, Polamalu and Sylvester are out for the game against the Kansas City Chiefs Monday night at 8:30 at Heinz Field. Mendenhall is questionable, while Dwyer, Rainey and Suisham are probable.