A stinger continues to hamper Isaac Redman, but one thing the nettlesome pinched nerve won’t do is prevent the Steelers running back from lobbying to play Thursday in the team’s final preseason game.

Redman is listed as the co-starter at running back. With Le'Veon Bell -- the other player who shares that distinction, out for awhile with a foot sprain -- it would seem crazy for the Steelers to allow Redman play at Carolina. The final preseason game, after all, is mostly for fringe players who are trying to make the 53-man roster or even the practice squad.

Isaac Redman

#33 RB
Pittsburgh Steelers

2012 STATS

• Rush110
• Yds410
• TD2
• Rec19
• Yds244
• TD0

Redman, however, can be excused if he is getting a little restless. The running back competition has played out lately with him as a spectator.

The fourth-year veteran has missed the past two preseason games, and Redman played sparingly in the first exhibition contest, gaining 7 yards on two carries.

“If I’m not out there competing it’s hard to sit here and say that the starting job is mine because I haven’t really done anything this preseason,”

Redman said. “I mean I’ve practiced and had a good camp, but to not be out there on the field and being able to compete I can’t really sit here and say the starting job is mine.

One thing that coach Mike Tomlin should be pleased about is that Redman wants to earn the starting job, not get it because of various circumstances.

“They know what I can do,” Redman said of the coaches. “They’ve seen that I’ve improved since last year. It’s about time for me to get out on the field and be able to prove it. To be on the sidelines without a uniform on kills me.”

Here are a couple of notes from practice:

• Jarvis Jones didn’t practice a day after getting released from the hospital. The Steelers sent the rookie outside linebacker to the hospital Saturday night as a precaution. Tests revealed that Jones had only bruised his chest after an awkward landing in the Steelers’ 26-20 overtime loss to Kansas City. “We didn’t allow him to do anything today.,” Tomlin said. “He’s going to be fine.” Tomlin will provide a complete injury update Tuesday at a noon news conference.

• Running back Felix Jones took part in his first full practice Monday with the Steelers. Jones joined the team last Friday via trade with the Eagles, played Saturday against the Chiefs and spent Sunday studying his playbook. “He’s still in the very early stages of understanding what it is to be in this environment and what we ask and how we teach," Tomlin said. "We’re getting to know him, he’s getting to know us, and in the midst of that he’s finding ways to be productive and that’s appreciated.”