The Pittsburgh Steelers entered training camp with an excellent problem to have — depth at the running back position. Currently, mid-training camp, there’s a crowded running back room: James Conner, Benny Snell, Jr., Jaylen Samuels, Anthony McFarland, Jr., Kerrith Whyte, Wendell Smallwood and Trey Edmunds.
Given the health concerns they had to deal with in Conner, Snell and Samuels missing multiple games in 2019, the more options, the better for Pittsburgh.
One of the temporary solutions last season was the signing of Whyte from the Chicago Bears practice squad. He signed on Nov. 16 and was thrust into action with the Steelers on Nov. 24.
“I am just happy they trusted me,” Whyte told Teresa Varley in her Camp Blog series. “I got here and four days later played in my first game. It was unique. I appreciated that. When someone trusts you with the ball, that’s what it’s about. The game is about the ball… Ball security is the most important thing. I take pride in it. I know how meaningful the ball is.”
Though the Steelers showed interest in the speedy back during a pre-draft visit to Pittsburgh, the Florida Atlantic product wound up in Chicago via a seventh-round selection in the 2019 NFL Draft.
For the casual Steelers fan, Whyte shot out of nowhere. In his first appearance in November versus the Cincinnati Bengals, he carried the ball six times for 43 yards (7.2 per attempt average). Whyte had another nice game in Week 14 versus Arizona with five attempts for 41 yards. Through six games with the Steelers, Whyte finished off the season with 122 yards on 24 carries for a 5.1 average.
“Hopefully it was the start of something,” said Whyte. “I believe in myself. I have so much more to show. I am happy how things played out. Hopefully I did turn some heads. I am going to continue to work and show my God-given talent.”
“The guys here showed nothing but love from the moment I walked in,” he said. “They took great care of me, and I am appreciative of that… I took a little piece from everybody, from the coaching staff, the strength staff, the veterans in the room. They were all a part of the puzzle.”
With his speed and agility, Whyte was able to supplant wide receiver Ryan Switzer as the Steelers’ starting kickoff returner. Finding a reliable return man has been problematic for years, but Whyte led the team in kickoff return yards (264), attempts (14), and average (19 yards), including a team-best return of 34 yards.
What could make Whyte expendable is what he’s best known for: Speed. McFarland, the Steelers rookie back, has a similar playing style to Whyte.
The Steelers kept five running backs (including fullback Rosie Nix) last year and, given the injury concern that Conner comes with, it would be smart to do the same in 2020.
Though he showed some promise his rookie season, Snell didn’t overly impress. But his 426 yards rushing were good enough for second on the team and is a lock to make the 53-man roster. As for Samuels, there’s been some conjecture that he isn’t a roster lock; however, his value as a receiver should not be overlooked. Samuels contributed 305 yards and a touchdown; best among Steelers running backs.
Practice squads were expanded to from 14 to 16 with the new CBA and, to mitigate players testing positive for the coronavirus the week of a game, will allow each team to protect four players weekly. The new rules also mean players who are generally worthy of a spot on the 53-man roster could instead be stashed on the practice squad.
A protected member of the practice squad is the most likely landing spot for Whyte unless the Steelers make a surprise move before the start of the season.
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