What are they trying to say?
I can't think of articles off the top of my head. But my impression is the guys were redshirted to build depth and that it was very important. I remember there exist many articles quoting Pelini talking about how there was temptation to pull some shirts close to the end of the season, especially with the injuries, but that it just wouldn't be fair to the kids.
Of course Fisher and Meredith actually played and the reason they were redshirted is because they got hurt. Now does that mean they were ready to play, I don't know. Fisher's redshirt was burned for special teams, if I recall.
Meredith, if I recall, came in after Pierre Allen went out (briefly) with injury in a game either immediately after Turner's injury or shortly thereafter.