Steelers bring back veteran running back days after release: Report
The Pittsburgh Steelers released running back Anthony McFarland Jr.
Rephrase
as part of a series of roster moves before Week 16.
But less than a week later, NFL insider Aaron Wilson reported that the veteran running back would be returning to the Steelers.
Wilson tweeted on December 25th that the Steelers had signed McFarland to their practice squad.
The Steelers released McFarland on December 21st.
Prior to Week 16, McFarland spent the entire 2023 season with the Steelers.
In fact, he has never been with another organization in his four NFL seasons.
In three games in 2023, McFarland had two catches for 11 yards.
He also returned six kickoffs for 164 yards, averaging 27.
3 yards per return.
Steelers sign running back Anthony McFarland to practice squad Before the game against the Cincinnati Bengals on December 23rd, the Steelers made some changes to the roster to make room for inside linebacker Kyron Johnson.
I had to make a cut somewhere.
McFarland proved to be an underdog after the Steelers replaced him with Godwin Igwebuike on the kick return unit.
The Steelers selected McFarland with the 124th overall pick in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
As a rookie, he rushed for 113 yards and caught six passes for 54 yards.
But McFarland hasn’t reached that total in the past three years.
Another Steelers running back like McFarland didn’t get much playing time, as Najee Harris and Jalen Warren combined for 947 offensive snaps.
The former fourth-round pick played a career-low six offensive snaps this season.
McFarland appeared to have a special role on the team in early 2023.
In Week 1 against the San Francisco 49ers, he averaged over 30 yards per kickoff return.
However, McFarland was placed on injured reserve after the game due to a knee problem.
He was sidelined until Week 10 due to injury.
Starting in Week 12, Igwebuike, who plays multiple roles on special teams, replaced McFarland on the active game-day roster.
Steelers RB, Week 17 Kick Returner Depth Heading The Steelers haven’t used McFarland much this season, largely due to the health of their offensive backfield.
Harris and Warren played in all 15 games this season.
Both running backs have played at least 450 offensive snaps.
Overshadowed by these two running backs, Igwebuike has not seen any offensive playing time this season.
But since Week 12, Igwebuike has averaged nearly 13 special teams snaps per game.
The Steelers could raise McFarland to their practice roster for one or both of the team’s remaining games.
This means the experienced running back can play in the game again without being added to the active roster.
However, that seems unlikely given that the Steelers have kept McFarland inactive for the past four games while he was on the active roster.
But having McFarland on the team’s practice squad gives the Steelers peace of mind in the event of an injury at running back.
In 17 NFL games, McFarland tallied his 146 rushing yards, averaging 3.
5 yards per carry.
He also averaged 26.
3 yards on 11 catches for 87 yards and nine kickoff returns.
Igwebuike is currently listed as the top running back on the Steelers’ depth chart behind Harris and Warren.
The Steelers signed Igwebuike from the Atlanta Falcons’ practice squad on September 20.
