Undrafted rookie running back, Jaylen Warren has been a bright spot for the Pittsburgh Steelers for the majority of the 2022 season. He, unfortunately suffered a hamstring injury in the team's Week 11 bout against divisional foe, the Cincinnati Bengals. He has 38 carries for 190 yards this season which is good for 5.0 yards per rush and has been a great compliment to a struggling Najee Harris. Without Warren on Monday night, the offense looked to a few unexpected contributors who made a significant difference on the offensive end of things for the first time all year.
Pittsburgh Steelers running back, Anthony McFarland (#26) warms up at Acrisure Stadium for a preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks on August 13, 2022 in Pittsburgh, PA. | Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Harris, the team's starting running back, has been inconsistent in terms of how healthy he looks each week. He suffered a Lisfranc injury early in training camp and was seen leaving the field heading to the locker room shortly before halftime against the Indianapolis Colts. He had 35 yards on the ground in the first two quarters along with a touchdown, but only averaged 3.5 yards per carry which is close to on par with his season average.
The good news for the Steelers was that backups with nothing to lose, Anthony McFarland Jr. and Benny Snell Jr. came to play in what could have been their only legitimate action all year. Snell Jr. has been used strictly as a special teams contributor this season while McFarland Jr. was not active for a contest all year until Monday night versus Indianapolis. The two made the most of their opportunities.
Steelers running back and special teams ace Benny Snell Jr. warms up prior to a 2021 regular season matchup. | Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
In the first half alone, the duo rushed eight times for 47 yards. McFarland Jr. also caught two passes for 11 yards in the first 30 minutes. Entering the second half, it was announced that Harris would miss the rest of the game due to an injury to his abdomen.
#Steelers RB Najee Harris has been declared OUT for the rest of tonight's game with an abdominal injury.
— Burt Lauten (@SteelersPRBurt) November 29, 2022
McFarland responded with his first carry of the latter half of the game being a nine-yard run. He wasn't able to convert a third and short soon after, but calling a run on third and short from a shotgun set shouldn't necessarily lead to the blame being placed on him. Snell Jr. also had a positive start with an eight yard pickup on the second drive and while the first two possessions after the break led to punts, it wasn't because of the running backs carrying the ball. Snell Jr. added a 13-yard carry at the beginning of the 4th quarter in Colts' territory.
It was utterly shocking as the Steelers had first and goal from the five-yard line with about 10 minutes in the fourth quarter and offensive coordinator, Matt Canada did not call a run play on the first two downs after averaging 5.2 yards per rush up to that point. Instead, he went with a shovel pass to fullback, Derek Watt and a fade to the back of the end one which ended up in a Diontae Johnson drop. Luckily, a third down run out of the shotgun formation led to Snell Jr. walking into the end zone unscathed.
PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 18: Offensive Coordinator Matt Canada of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on during the game against the New England Patriots at Acrisure Stadium on September 18, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
Snell Jr. finished with 12 rushes for 62 yards and a touchdown while McFarland was a great compliment getting 6 carries that led to 30 yards on the ground. The two were undoubtedly two of the biggest reasons for the important conference win.
It has to make you think that something has truly been off with Harris this season. All three of his backups have had success with an offensive line that has not necessarily been consistent throughout the season. It could be that the former first round pick is playing through a frustrating injury, but it shouldn't be ignored that the other guys around him are having success. Whether Harris has become complacent believing his job is safe or is hurting, he has been far from impressive the majority of the season.
Are you more impressed with the performances of Snell Jr. and McFarland Jr. or more worried about Harris' lack of consistency? Let us know in the comments below!
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