The Pittsburgh Steelers had several position battles to watch entering training camp in Latrobe. One of them was the fight for the No. 3 running back role. While Anthony McFarland Jr. headed in as the most experienced of the competitors, Alfonzo Graham made some big waves earlier this summer. He impressed at Organized Team Activities (OTAs) and minicamp, and it was expected to be a heated battle between the two in Latrobe.
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Steelers veteran running back Anthony McFarland will have to prove himself once again in order to win the No. 3 RB job.
The undrated rookie free agent could have taken a similar path to Jaylen Warren, who made the 53-man roster in the same situation in 2022. Unfortunately, we won't get to see that come to fruition. Graham is out for the year with a torn labrum in his shoulder. The rookie tweeted out the devastating news via his TwitterX page on Monday. He still appeared at practice in Latrobe, as he stood to the side in a sling.
When you come out of a storm you won’t be the same person you walked in …Suffered a Torn labrum in my shoulder I promise the Comeback will be Amazing The talent I have is amazing God just wasn’t ready for the world see yet See y’all in 2024💔 stay prayed up pic.twitter.com/jXLWAYncec
— 🔛🔝🔜 (@Alfonzograham2) July 31, 2023
That's just awful news for the rookie. Even if he didn't win that RB3 role, the practice squad seemed like a worst-case scenario for Graham. While it's not the way he would have wanted it, this helps McFarland Jr. tremendously. His biggest competition for that No. 3 job is now out for the year. Darius Hagans, another undrafted free agent, is a name to watch still.
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Alfonzo Graham's injury seemingly only makes it more likely that the Steelers add another running back before the 2023 season, such as Clyde Edwards-Helaire from the Chiefs.
Beyond that, this injury could make it even more likely that the Steelers pick up a running back at some point. Just last week, ESPN's Brooke Pryor suggested a belief that the team will be active in the RB market when roster cuts take place. In the meantime, her initial 53-man roster prediction included McFarland Jr. as the third guy behind Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren.
Who Will Be Steelers' RB3 In Week 1?
There are several teams with crowded backfields, meaning there should be some good options out there in about a month or so. But it seems like the team isn't going to be comfortable waiting that long. On Monday morning ZaQuandre White who spent time with the Miami Dolphins and in the USFL was in town to meet with the team. As of 2pm on Monday he hasn't been signed. While the team is confident in its top two guys in Harris and Warren, the depth beyond them is questionable. A sudden injury or two and the Steelers RB depth would suddenly be gone.
Another option the team could consider would be bringing in a familiar face, like Benny Snell Jr. Hopefully for Graham, he can return to Pittsburgh in 2024 and fight for a similar opportunity. Again, he was impressive in the early summer portions, showing a quickness to him that stuck out immediately. Until then, the show goes on, and the Steelers will have to figure out their depth beyond the top two.
With this injury, do you think the team should sign a RB within the next month? Of the possible options, who is a realistic one that would make the most sense? Would you be comfortable with McFarland as the RB3 for the 2023 season? Share your thoughts in the comment section below, yinz!
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