Trey

Edmunds

James Conner re-injured his shoulder and departed after six touches, leaving Edmunds as the No. 2 back behind Jaylen Samuels. Even with 10 days to heal up, Conner is probably on the wrong side of questionable for next week’s potential eruption spot in the Bengals’ No. 32 run defense. Depending on who is or isn’t healthy/signed in free agency, Edmunds could have Week 12 FLEX appeal.

Edmunds didn’t practice on Wednesday or Thursday, but got in a full practice Friday and will suit up Sunday. He’s expected to again see plenty of ground work, but a matchup against the Rams’ stout front-seven isn’t the spot to target an early-down grinder. Jaylen Samuels (13 targets in Week 9) easily has the more fantasy-friendly role in the offense as long as James Conner (shoulder, out) and Benny Snell (knee, out) remain sidelined.

With James Conner (shoulder) already ruled out, the Steelers’ running back depth chart behind Jaylen Samuels is looking extremely confused, as both Edmunds and Benny Snell (knee) are on the wrong side of questionable. Someone named “Tony Brooks-James” is the next man up. A preseason grinder, UDFA Brooks-James would undoubtedly get carries behind Samuels, whom the Steelers do not consider a true between-the-tackles option.

Conner resumed practicing Wednesday but apparently he hasn’t progressed enough to get the green light for Week 10. With Conner headed for another absence, backfield responsibilities in Pittsburgh will be shared between Jaylen Samuels and Trey Edmunds. Samuels (13-73-0 receiving line in Week 9) is the better fantasy bet of those two and should be regarded as an RB2, particularly in the PPR realm, where he has always thrived.

James Conner (shoulder) was expectedly limited. Edmunds handled 12 carries behind Jaylen Samuels without Conner in Week 9 but this setback brings his involvement into question. If Conner’s able to suit up for Sunday, Edmunds would also take a backseat. Jaylen Samuels projects as an RB1 if starting but mere FLEX option if Conner powers through.

Edmunds played 17 snaps compared to 40 for Jaylen Samuels. He got loose for a 45 yard run on his first touch of the game, although the big play was largely the result of excellent blocking and didn’t feature any broken tackles. Edmunds did demonstrate some shiftiness later in the game, regularly providing positive gains as the offense’s inside-the-tackles runner. Samuels (13 receptions) is obviously the offense’s most fantasy-friendly back thanks to his robust receiving role, but Edmunds could provide some low-end RB3 value if he’s given double-digit carries per game with both James Conner (shoulder) and Benny Snell (knee) sidelined. Still, next week’s matchup against the Rams is hardly a situation to target.

Justin Hunter (shoulder) was placed on injured reserve in a corresponding move. Reports on James Conner’s leg injury have been positive, but this moves suggests there is at least some concern about his availability for this week. Jaylen Samuels and Stevan Ridley are the backs to add off the wire.

A second-year UDFA out of Maryland, Edmunds spent 2017 with the Saints playing special teams. He went to create roster space for G/C Josh LeRibeus.