ANTHONY MCFARLAND NEWS

Carries ball five times in Week 17 McFarland totaled five carries for 17 yards while failing to haul in his lone target in Sunday's 24-22 loss to the Browns.

Impact McFarland saw some increased usage Week 17 because the Steelers elected to rest some of their primary players ahead of the playoffs. The 2020 fourth-rounder didn't make much of an impact for Pittsburgh during his rookie season, logging just 33 carries for 113 yards while hauling in six of his 10 targets for 54 yards. McFarland could compete for an increased role in 2021 if James Conner doesn't re-sign with the team, but he should continue to see minimal work during the Steelers' postseason run.

JANUARY 4, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Avoids injury report McFarland (illness) is not listed on Thursday's injury report, Teresa Varley of the team's official site reports.

Impact The rookie first-round pick sat out Week 16's win over the Colts due to an ailment, but it looks like he's already returned to full health. With the Steelers planning to sit a number of starters against the Browns on Sunday, McFarland could end up seeing increased playing time.

DECEMBER 31, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting out Sunday McFarland (illness) is inactive for Sunday's game versus the Colts, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.

Impact McFarland was added to the injury report Friday as a non-participant due to the illness, and he won't be available for Sunday's matchup with Indianapolis. The 21-year-old was unlikely to see significant playing time even if available since James Conner, Benny Snell and Jaylen Samuels are healthy.

DECEMBER 27, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable for Sunday McFarland is questionable for Sunday's game versus Indianapolis due to an illness, Dale Lolley of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.

Impact The 23-year-old was added to the injury report Friday as a non-participant due to the illness, putting his status for Week 16 in question. McFarland is unlikely to have a significant role even if available since James Conner, Benny Snell and Jaylen Samuels are all healthy.

DECEMBER 25, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Limited usage against Bengals McFarland recorded one carry for five yards while bringing in his lone target for nine yards in Monday's 27-17 loss to the Bengals.

Impact McFarland was expected to play a modest role for Pittsburgh on Monday after James Conner (quadriceps) was ruled out for the contest, but he was only on the field for seven offensive snaps in the loss. The rookie was a healthy scratch for the Steelers in Week 14, and he's unlikely to see a major uptick in usage over the final few weeks of the season.

DECEMBER 22, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Could handle modest role Monday McFarland should see some playing time in Monday's game against the Bengals because James Conner (quad) has been ruled out.

Impact McFarland was a healthy scratch last week against the Bills, when Conner, Benny Snell and Jaylen Samuels were all healthy. Conner also missed Weeks 12-13, and in that stretch, McFarland logged 25 snaps, seven carries and a reception, totaling 29 yards from scrimmage. Snell is slated to lead the Steelers' backfield once again; McFarland will compete with Samuels for the leftover reps.

DECEMBER 21, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Not playing Week 14 McFarland (coach's decision) is listed as inactive Sunday in Buffalo, Dale Lolley of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.

Impact The absence will mark McFarland's fourth of the season, as the Steelers will ride James Conner in his first action since two games missed due to residing on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Any reps that don't go to Conner will trickle down to Benny Snell and Jaylen Samuels.

DECEMBER 14, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Limited use in loss McFarland carried four times for 15 yards and failed to haul in his lone target in Monday's 23-17 loss to Washington.

Impact Even with James Conner (reserve/COVID-19 list) sidelined once again Monday, McFarland was unable to generate much production in the Steelers' first loss of 2020. The rookie was only on the field for 15 percent of the team's snaps, and his usage should decrease even more going forward with Conner expected back in Week 14.

DECEMBER 8, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Muted role behind Snell McFarland carried three times for nine yards and turned his lone target into a 17-yard reception Wednesday in the Steelers' 19-14 win over the Ravens.

Impact McFarland was on the field for 14 of the Steelers' 72 offensive snaps on the day, good for a season-high 19 percent share. That said, McFarland's usage might have been more modest than some may have anticipated, given that top back James Conner (reserve/COVID-19 list) was sidelined. With Conner out, head coach Mike Tomlin eschewed a committee approach to the backfield and instead leaned heavily on Benny Snell, who accounted for 93 total yards while playing 71 percent of the snaps. Even if Conner remains out of the lineup for the Steelers' Week 13 game versus Washington on Dec. 7, McFarland will be tough to count on for meaningful production if Snell is once again treated as a bell cow.

DECEMBER 3, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Fantasy Waiver Wire Week 13: Benny Snell, Anthony McFarland, Keke Coutee among top free agent pickups James Conner's COVID diagnosis and Will Fuller's suspension will have Benny Snell, Anthony McFarland, and Keke Coutee among the top Week 13...

DECEMBER 1, 2020 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

More opportunities in store McFarland should see an increased workload in Tuesday's game against the Ravens following news that both James Conner (COVID-19) and Jaylen Samuels (quadriceps) are ruled out, Broo...

Impact Benny Snell figures to handle a bulk of the backfield reps, leaving a change-of-pace role for McFarland. Coach Mike Tomlin has been hesitant about utilizing McFarland thus far, as the rookie fourth-rounder hasn't played more than 10 snaps in a game. In limited action, McFarland has recorded 95 yards from scrimmage on 24 touches.

NOVEMBER 28, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Logs three carries Sunday McFarland recorded three carries for three yards in Sunday's 27-3 win over the Jaguars.

Impact McFarland was unable to suit up Week 10 due to a non-COVID-19-related illness, but he returned to action against Jacksonville. The 2020 fourth-rounder was on the field for five offensive snaps, touching the ball three times in the win. McFarland has racked up 67 rushing yards on 20 carries while also hauling in four receptions for 28 yards during his rookie season.

NOVEMBER 23, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Over illness McFarland (illness) was a full participant in practice Wednesday.

Impact McFarland came down with a non-COVID-19 illness prior to last week's win over Cincinnati and ended up sitting out, but he has evidently recovered and is on track to suit up against the Jaguars on Sunday. The rookie sits third on Pittsburgh's backfield depth chart behind James Conner and Benny Snell.

NOVEMBER 18, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Not suiting up Sunday McFarland (illness) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Bengals, Dale Lolley of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.

Impact The rookie fourth-round pick missed the final two practices of the week before receiving the questionable tag, and he won't be available for Sunday's contest. McFarland has five touches for 13 yards this season, and James Conner should continue to handle the bulk of the backfield work for Pittsburgh.

NOVEMBER 15, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable with illness McFarland (illness) is officially listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Bengals, Teresa Varley of the team's official site reports.

Impact McFarland has now missed back-to-back practices while dealing with an ailment, making his status for Week 10 murky. The rookie fourth-round pick has generally handled five to 10 offensive snaps per game since Pittsburgh's Week 4 bye, so he isn't on the fantasy radar in most formats.

NOVEMBER 13, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Can't practice Thursday McFarland (illness) was a non-participant during the Steelers' practice session Thursday, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports.

Impact This development is damaging news to the prospects of McFarland suiting up Sunday against Cincinnati, as Dale Lolley of DKPittsburghSports.com notes that coach Mike Tomlin has a tendency to sit rookies who miss practice throughout the week. McFarland fielded five offensive touches for a total of 22 scrimmage yards last Sunday at Dallas, but a sudden appearance on the injury report places the 21-year-old's status in question for Week 10.

NOVEMBER 12, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Garners five touches in Dallas McFarland recorded three carries for seven yards while hauling in both of his targets for 15 yards in Sunday's 24-19 win over the Cowboys.

Impact McFarland's eight offensive snaps Sunday slightly outpaced Benny Snell's five, and the 2020 fourth-rounder recorded his highest number of touches since Week 3. McFarland recorded four touches on the Steelers' first drive of the second quarter before recording a six-yard carry in the fourth. The 21-year-old has logged double-digit snaps just twice this year and has failed to establish much of a role during his rookie season.

NOVEMBER 9, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Sees minimal usage again McFarland recorded one carry for one yard in Sunday's 28-24 win over the Ravens.

Impact The Steelers relied heavily on the passing game Sunday, but McFarland had a carry on his only offensive play. The 2020 fourth-rounder has recorded just 21 yards from scrimmage on nine touches over the past four weeks.

NOVEMBER 2, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Records one carry in Week 7 McFarland recorded one carry for six yards in Sunday's 27-24 win over the Titans.

Impact McFarland was on the field for just five of the team's 79 offensive snaps Sunday, as he was outpaced by Jaylen Samuels (nine snaps) and Benny Snell (six snaps). While he was relatively effective by recording six yards on his single carry, the 2020 fourth-round pick has played just 20 snaps over the last three weeks while recording seven carries for 14 yards.

OCTOBER 26, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Logs 10 snaps on offense McFarland rushed three times for two yards while hauling in his lone target for six yards in Sunday's 38-7 win over the Browns.

Impact Although the Steelers gained a comfortable lead Sunday, McFarland still saw minimal work in the contest, taking the field for 10 of a possible 65 snaps on offense. Much of the late-game rushing work went to fellow depth option Benny Snell, who scored a touchdown early in the fourth quarter. McFarland was effective with limited touches in his season debut against the Texans in Week 3, but overall the 2020 fourth-rounder has recorded just 63 yards from scrimmage while appearing in three games for Pittsburgh.

OCTOBER 19, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Minimal role in win McFarland ran three times for six yards in Sunday's 38-29 win over the Eagles.

Impact McFarland recorded his first touches as a pro during the Steelers' last game, but his workload decreased Sunday against the Eagles as he averaged just two yards per carry. The 2020 fourth-rounder was outpaced in the contest by Benny Snell, who recorded seven carries, including one on the goal line. James Conner has been fully healthy in recent weeks as Pittsburgh's lead back; in that context, McFarland's fantasy upside is limited as he continues to split complementary backfield work with Snell.

OCTOBER 12, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Pittsburgh Steelers' Anthony McFarland, Jr.: Best Week 3 photos A photo gallery of Steelers running back, Anthony McFarland, Jr.

OCTOBER 2, 2020 • USATODAY.COM

Gains first yards of career McFarland ran for 42 yards on six carries and caught one of two targets for seven yards in the Steelers' 28-21 Week 3 win over the Texans on Sunday.

Impact The rookie and Benny Snell split carries to keep James Conner fresh, but Snell managed just 11 yards on his seven carries. There is no question Conner (109 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries) is the workhorse in the backfield, but McFarland's performance may cost Snell some snaps moving forward.

SEPTEMBER 27, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Debut on tap McFarland will make his NFL debut in Sunday's game versus the Broncos, Dale Lolley of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.

Impact McFarland -- a rookie fourth-round pick -- was a healthy scratch in the season opener, a game in which James Conner sustained an ankle injury. Conner is healthy and expected to start against the Broncos, but McFarland will add depth and could serve as a change-of-pace back.

SEPTEMBER 20, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Won't play Monday McFarland is inactive for Monday night's season opener against the Giants, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.

Impact With McFarland's NFL debut on hold, the Steelers will roll out a Week 1 backfield led by James Conner, with Benny Snell and Jaylen Samuels set to work in reserve/change-of-pace roles.

SEPTEMBER 14, 2020 • ROTOWIRE