Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports

Steelers Invite Intriguing Veteran Running Back To Rookie Minicamp

Originally posted on Steeler Nation | By Braeden Boyles | Last updated 5/7/24

The Pittsburgh Steelers have two running backs on their roster in Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren that proved in 2023 that they can do what is asked of them and produce in the Steel City. Each of them posted 1,000+ yards from scrimmage last year, but behind those two, no running back had a single carry last season for the Steelers (so the RB3 spot is wide open). On the current roster, the Steelers have five running backs that include Harris, Warren, Cordarrelle Patterson, Aaron Shampklin and recently signed UDFA Daijun Edwards from the University of Georgia. Shampklin and Edwards are by no means a guarantee to be on the roster when the 2024 regular season begins, which is why veteran back, Jonathan Ward receiving an invite to rookie minicamp is something to keep an eye on.

Veteran running back Jonathan Ward (#Titans #Cardinals 4.1 career average per carry) will be participating in #Steelers rookie minicamp per a league source. Ward brings versatility and has been effective out of the backfield @KPRC2
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) May 7, 2024

After the Steelers declined Harris' fifth-year option, there has been some uncertainty on what the plan is going forward with him and the running back room in general. Warren is a very capable runner, so if the Steelers do for some reason decide to part with Harris, Warren would presumably be their lead back. Ward isn't a guy that can be expected to step in and handle 200+ touches in a season, so his rookie minicamp invite doesn't necessarily tell us anything about whether there will be a major shift in the running back room, but he has proven that he can do some quality work when his name is called.

In Ward's senior year of college at Central Michigan, he rushed for 1,108 yards and 15 touchdowns on only 183 carries (6.1 ypc). If he makes the 53-man roster to start the season, he wouldn't be expected to see a ton of carries, at least early on in the season.

Steelers Fans Have Seen How Quickly Running Backs Can Go Down

In the 2016 playoffs, The Steelers had a shot at the AFC Championship game when they played the Denver Broncos in the Divisional Round. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was banged up and the Steelers needed to rely on their run game, but both Le'Veon Bell and DeAngelo Williams were unavailable for the matchup against, so the team had no choice but to rely on Fitzgerald Toussaint and Jordan Todman. Toussaint and Todman had a combined 18 carries that season before the Divisional Round. They combined for 17 carries against the Broncos. Toussaint fumbled late in the game and the Steelers went on to lose 23-16. The RB3 spot may feel insignificant, but Steelers fans know how important that role can be down the stretch.

All signs lead to the Steelers having a run-heavy offense in 2024. The Steelers hired Arthur Smith to be the team's new offensive coordinator and bulked up the offensive line through the 2024 NFL Draft. That means more touches for the backs and subsequently, more opportunities for injury. The RB3 spot is more important right now than it has been in any of the last couple years.

This article first appeared on SteelerNation.com and was syndicated with permission.

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