BENNY SNELL JR. NEWS

Captain Najee; Steelers RB Harris embracing leadership role

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris says he's comfortable taking on more of a leadership role as he enters his second season, and his teammates seem to agree

SEPTEMBER 9, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Reaches end zone against Jaguars Snell rushed three times for minus-two yards while securing two of three targets for 15 yards and a touchdown during the Steelers' 16-15 preseason win over the Jaguars on Saturday.

Impact Snell drew the start during Saturday's preseason matchup, and he caught an 11-yard touchdown pass late in the first half. The 2019 fourth-rounder split time in the backfield with Jaylen Warren during the first half. Warren recorded 27 yards from scrimmage on six touches, but Snell was one of two Steelers to reach the end zone during the narrow win. Snell and Warren will likely continue to compete to serve as Pittsburgh's No. 2 running back ahead of the regular season.

AUGUST 22, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Pickett shines vs starters, Steelers top Jags in preseason

Kenny Pickett’s second preseason performance was as impressive as his first, and it came against better competition

AUGUST 21, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Returns to practice Snell (knee) recently returned to practice, Chris Adamski of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.

Impact Snell dealt with a right knee injury late last week and didn't appear in Saturday's preseason win over Seattle. However, he now appears to be healthy once again. The 2019 fourth-rounder will likely have a chance to garner some playing time during Saturday's preseason matchup against the Jaguars as he competes with Anthony McFarland and Jaylen Warren for a role behind Najee Harris in the Steelers' backfield.

AUGUST 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Pickett's game-winning drive helps Steelers beat Seahawks

Kenny Pickett threw a 24-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Vaughns with 3 seconds to play and the Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Seattle Seahawks 32-25 on Saturday

AUGUST 14, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Not likely to suit up Saturday Snell (knee) is unlikely to play in Saturday's preseason game versus the Seahawks, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Snell took a seat at Thursday's practice, where he was seen with a large wrap on his right knee. That was scaled down to a sleeve by Saturday, but he wasn't in uniform ahead of the contest. It's unclear if top running back Najee Harris will join Snell in street clothes, but if both sit out the Steelers backfield will consist of Anthony McFarland, Jaylen Warren, Mataeo Durant and Master Teague.

AUGUST 13, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Not practicing Thursday Snell (knee) wasn't spotted at Thursday's practice, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Pryor notes that Snell left Wednesday's session with a pretty big wrap on his right knee, so he's a candidate to sit out Saturday's preseason opener against the Seahawks. Snell is listed behind top option Najee Harris on the Steelers' posted unofficial depth chart, with Anthony McFarland, Jaylen Warren, Mataeo Durant and Master Teague also in the mix for backfield slotting.

AUGUST 11, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Works with starters at goal line Snell worked with the Steelers' first-team offense during goal-line drills at Monday's practice, Mark Kaboly of The Athletic reports.

Impact Snell lost weight during the offseason and has impressed over the first week of training camp. While Najee Harris is in line to serve as the Steelers' lead back this year, Snell was on the field with the first-team offense during Monday's goal-line drills. None of the team's backup running backs carved out a meaningful fantasy role behind Harris last year, but it's possible that Snell, Anthony McFarland or Jaylen Warren earn some extra touches in 2022 as the Steelers are attempting to lighten Harris' load.

AUGUST 10, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Benny Snell impresses, Larry Ogunjobi pops and more from Fri— er, Monday Night Lights Mike Tomlin brought back a Bill Cowher-era tradition for Monday's rescheduled stadium practice. Elsewhere, Mason Rudolph's streak continued.

AUGUST 9, 2022 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Steelers' Harris seeks to expand leadership role in 2nd year

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris has been slowed by a foot injury during his second training camp with the Steelers

AUGUST 7, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Benny Snell hears your criticism, but is it warranted? Snell isn't blind to the calls for an upgrade at backup RB. But he's quietly been better than his reputation through three seasons.

JULY 12, 2022 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Slims down during offseason Snell has trimmed down during the offseason, Mark Kaboly of The Athletic reports.

Impact While Snell's new weight isn't yet clear, his frame now resembles a build more typical of a running back. The 24-year-old averaged a career-low 2.7 yards per carry last season. However, he should have the chance to compete during training camp for the No. 2 job at running back behind Najee Harris, who established himself as the team's three-down back as a rookie last year.

JUNE 30, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

What Benny Snell Jr. Taught Me Sometimes, you have to take a second when talking about the Pittsburgh Steelers.

JUNE 8, 2022 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

This is Why Steelers Won't Replace Benny Snell The Pittsburgh Steelers had no intentions of moving on from Benny Snell.

MAY 31, 2022 • SACBEE.COM

12 carries in Week 18 Snell rushed 12 times for 22 yards in Sunday's 16-13 OT win over the Ravens.

Impact Snell recorded double-digit touches for the first time this year after Najee Harris sustained an elbow injury on the team's first drive. However, the 2019 fourth-rounder struggled mightily with efficiency and averaged just 1.8 yards per carry. Harris returned to Sunday's matchup after suffering his injury, and it wouldn't be surprising to see him available for the team's wild-card matchup against Kansas City on Sunday. Snell appeared in all 17 regular-season games this year and rushed 36 times for 98 yards while hauling in two of four targets for 13 yards.

JANUARY 10, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Roethlisberger, Steelers in playoffs after OT win

Ben Roethlisberger delayed his retirement a little longer, guiding Pittsburgh to a 16-13 overtime win over the Baltimore Ravens that left the Steelers on the verge of an improbable...

JANUARY 9, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Six touches in loss Snell totaled five carries for 20 yards while securing his lone target for six yards in Sunday's 36-10 loss to Kansas City.

Impact The Steelers failed to generate much offensive production in Sunday's blowout loss, but this allowed Snell to see some action in the second half. His six touches in Week 16 represented his highest total of the season, but he's had a minimal impact behind rookie Najee Harris for most of the year.

DECEMBER 27, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Close-game expert Steelers visit snake-bitten Vikings

The Minnesota Vikings have spent the entire season on the edge

DECEMBER 8, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Musters 13 yards in win Snell rushed twice for 13 yards in Sunday's 20-19 win over the Ravens.

Impact Snell recorded double-digit yardage for the second time this season in Sunday's win, but his workload remained limited behind lead back Najee Harris. Snell played just two offensive snaps and has been a non-factor for the Steelers as depth at running back.

DECEMBER 6, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Two carries against Bengals Snell recorded two carries for five yards in Sunday's 41-10 loss to the Bengals.

Impact Snell has now recorded two carries in three of the last four weeks, but he's continued to play primarily on special teams. His seven offensive snaps in Sunday's blowout loss ranked fourth among the team's running backs, as Najee Harris (36 snaps), Anthony McFarland (12) and Kalen Ballage (eight) all saw more playing time on the offensive side of the ball.

NOVEMBER 29, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Two carries in loss Snell recorded two carries for seven yards in Sunday's 41-37 loss to the Chargers.

Impact Snell has recorded at least one touch in each of the last four games, but he hasn't had a fantasy-relevant role behind rookie Najee Harris. Although Harris briefly went to the locker room to be evaluated for a concussion Sunday, he returned to the field late in the game, which is a good sign for his Week 12 availability. Assuming Harris remains active, Snell's fantasy potential will remain limited.

NOVEMBER 22, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

One carry in tie Snell recorded one carry for four yards in Sunday's 16-16 tie with the Lions.

Impact Snell played on just six of the Steelers' 87 offensive snaps Sunday. With rookie Najee Harris operating as the team's three-down back, Snell remains far off the fantasy radar. It remains likely that the 23-year-old's only path to consistent production would come if Harris were to be sidelined with an injury. The Steelers will square off against the Chargers in Week 11.

NOVEMBER 17, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Limited work against Bears Snell totaled two carries for six yards in Monday's 29-27 win over the Bears.

Impact Snell was on the field for just two offensive snaps in Monday's victory, but he recorded double-digit touches for the first time since Week 5. The 23-year-old has tallied just 10 carries for 27 yards while hauling in one of three targets for seven yards across the first 10 games of the year.

NOVEMBER 9, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Racks up seven yards Snell hauled in his lone target for seven yards in Sunday's 15-10 win over the Browns.

Impact Snell wasn't on the field for any offensive snaps in the Steelers' Week 6 win over the Seahawks, but he played three offensive snaps against Cleveland. However, his snap count lagged behind fellow depth options Anthony McFarland and Kalen Ballage.

NOVEMBER 1, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Totals 20 yards against Denver Snell rushed five times for 20 yards while failing to secure his lone target in Sunday's 27-19 win over the Broncos.

Impact Snell had rushed for just one yard across the first four weeks of the year, but he was more involved against Denver and played a season-high 13 offensive snaps while Najee Harris dealt with cramping. However, the 2019 fourth-rounder should return to a minimal role if Harris is back to full health for Sunday's Week 6 matchup against Seattle.

OCTOBER 11, 2021 • ROTOWIRE