Jaylen

Samuels

Samuels, 26 in July, signed a reserve/future deal with Arizona following last season after appearing in three games for the Texans in 2021. He was expected to compete for a pass-catching depth job but loses his roster spot to Darrel Williams.

Along with Samuels, the Cardinals signed WR Andre Baccellia, CB Breon Borders, CB Nate Brooks, DL Matt Dickerson, TE Alex Ellis, S Javon Hagan, OG Danny Isidora, OL Koda Martin, TE Bernhard Seikovits, OL Eric Smith, LB Joe Walker, TE David Wells, CB Jace Whittaker, and TE Deon Yelder to futures deals. Samuels, 25, was a fifth-round pick of the Steelers in 2018 and appeared in three games for the Texans this season after being among Pittsburgh’s cuts before Week 1.

The former Steelers pass-catching specialist worked into something of a backfield committee with Rex Burkhead and Royce Freeman. Samuels saw three targets to six for Burkhead. Freeman and Samuels ding Burkhead’s fantasy appeal as an every-down back.

Freeman was much more involved than practice-squad call-up Jaylen Samuels (two carries, two yards). Freeman will likely be the third back on the roster next week if David Johnson is healthy. If this blurb makes a difference in your league, it may be too big.

Benny Snell and Anthony McFarland will remain on the roster behind first-rounder Najee Harris in (significantly) lesser roles. Samuels has flashed abilities as a Swiss Army knife from the backfield at times but averaged just 2.7 yards per carry and 5.4 yards per catch as the team’s No. 3 back last year. He could step right in as a viable option on 3rd-down if given a shot elsewhere ahead of Week 1.

With Conner out, the Steelers have all three of Benny Snell, rookie Anthony McFarland, and H-back type Jaylen Samuels active against Cincinnati. With Conner out Weeks 12 and 13 on the COVID list, Snell started both games and played 71% and 46% of the snaps in a win and loss. With the Steelers as heavy favorites, we’d have to peg Snell as the favorite for touches in this one. But he’s been very hit or miss in this role. Also out for the Steelers are QB Josh Dobbs, SS Antoine Brooks, DT Isaiah Buggs, OLB Cassius Marsh, and OG Kevin Dotson.

Samuels has a quad injury. And James Conner is already out with COVID. It’ll be Benny Snell and rookie Anthony McFarland in the Steelers’ backfield. C Maurkice Pouncey is also out with COVID.

With Samuel and Edmunds out this week, Benny Snell and fourth-round rookie Anthony McFarland will back up James Conner. McFarland was inactive last week but will fill the reserve pass-catching role that Samuels usually holds.

Steelers OL Jerald Hawkins, RB Jaylen Samuels, and LB Vince Williams were also put on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Vance McDonald on Monday tested positive after he played 20 snaps in the Steelers’ Week 9 win over the Cowboys. Roethlisberger was considered a high-risk close contact of someone who tested positive for the virus, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. He’ll have to self isolate for five days. Barring a positive COVID test, Roethlisberger should be able to come off the list on Saturday and play this week against the Bengals. Mason Rudolph should be picked up in deep superflex leagues in the meantime.

It’s a numbers game, and Samuel’s roster spot may come down to the team’s decision to keep either three or four traditional running backs. This offseason, the Steelers signed FB Derek Watt and drafted Anthony McFarland out of Maryland. Both acquisitions will make the roster, as will James Conner and Benny Snell. Bouchette notes that Samuels is likely competing with Kerrith Whyte in training camp for the final spot. Ultimately, Bouchette left Samuels off his initial 53-man roster projection. Samuels averaged 2.7 yards on his 67 carries and 5.4 yards on his 57 targets last season.