JAYLEN SAMUELS NEWS

Plays minimal role in loss Samuels recorded one carry for four yards while hauling in his lone target for 12 yards in Monday's 27-17 loss to the Bengals.

Impact Samuels played a considerable role for the Steelers over the past two weeks and figured to be in line for increased work against Cincinnati with James Conner (quadriceps) sidelined. However, he was only on the field for seven offensive snaps after playing 27 offensive snaps in each of the last two weeks. The 24-year-old has now brought in seven of his nine targets over the past three weeks, but he has only recorded 74 yards from scrimmage on 18 touches this season.

DECEMBER 22, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Should see more work Samuels is expected to slot in as the No. 2 running back in Monday's game against the Bengals because James Conner (quad) has been ruled out.

Impact When Conner sat out in Week 13 against Washington, Samuels logged a 38 percent snap share and four touches as the backup to Benny Snell. Anthony McFarland rotated in as the clear No. 3 back. The Steelers figure to roll with a similar rotation in Week 15. As a result, Snell may be the only dependable fantasy option, although Samuels could see more work if they start running up the score. Through 11 games this year, Samuels has been inefficient with just 58 yards from scrimmage on 16 touches.

DECEMBER 21, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Steelers motivated for Monday night matchup with Bengals

The Pittsburgh Steelers are on a two-game skid but see Monday night's matchup with the struggling Cincinnati Bengals as a win they need to secure

DECEMBER 18, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Tallies seven touches in loss Samuels logged four carries for 15 yards while hauling in three of his four targets for 18 yards in Sunday's 26-15 loss to Buffalo.

Impact Even with James Conner back from the reserve/COVID-19 list for Sunday's primetime matchup, Samuels led the Steelers backfield with 27 snaps in the loss. Samuels garnered a season-high seven touches, but he was unable to record much production with the ball in his hands. It's not yet known whether Samuels' increased snap count will continue while Conner remains healthy.

DECEMBER 14, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Lack of balance leaves Steelers, Roethlisberger reeling

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger says he needs to improve to help his slumping team

DECEMBER 14, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Steelers suddenly on the skids after dismal loss to Buffalo

The Pittsburgh Steelers are struggling

DECEMBER 14, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Posts season high in touches Samuels logged 11 yards on three receptions, adding a one-yard rush during Monday's 23-17 loss to Washington.

Impact Samuels' 27 offensive snaps constituted a season high, as Pittsburgh went without starting RB James Conner for Monday night because of his presence on the reserve/COVID-19 list. The uptick in involvement may remain temporary, as coach Mike Tomlin expressed optimism Tuesday regarding Conner's potential availability for Week 14, per Aditi Kinkhabwala of NFL Network. Samuels' production has been minimal to this point in 2020, with just 25 scrimmage yards collected over his nine offensive touches.

DECEMBER 9, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

In line for Week 13 return Samuels (quadriceps) practiced fully Friday, Brian Batko of The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Impact Samuels missed the last two games but upgraded to a full practice after previously being limited. As a result, the depth running back should be out there Monday against Washington, and Samuels will likely be involved to some extent on offense if starting running back James Conner doesn't come off the reserve/COVID-19 list by game day.

DECEMBER 4, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Steelers add C Pouncey to COVID-19 list against Ravens

The Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens are scheduled to play on Wednesday afternoon even as COVID-19 continues to infect players up and down their respective rosters

DECEMBER 2, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Ruled out for Tuesday Samuels (quadriceps) has been ruled out ahead of Tuesday's game against the Ravens, Chris Adamski of TribLive.com reports.

Impact The Steelers were unable to hold an official practice, but they still ruled out Samuels ahead of the Tuesday game. It remains to be seen if the contest will actually happen, especially after James Conner reportedly tested positive for COVID-19, but if the game does take place, expect a major workload for the likes of Benny Snell and Anthony McFarland.

NOVEMBER 28, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Misses practice Samuels (quadriceps) was a non-participant at Monday's practice, Missi Matthews of the Steelers' official site reports.

Impact After missing the Steelers' Week 11 game against the Jaguars, Samuels is not trending in the right direction for Thursday's Thanksgiving matchup with with the Ravens. Still, it would not be surprising if Pittsburgh were just exercising caution with him on this short week. More clarity on his status should come as the week progresses.

NOVEMBER 24, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Drew Lock gets start at QB for Broncos vs. Dolphins

Drew Lock will get the start at quarterback when the Denver Broncos host the Miami Dolphins despite missing practice Wednesday with bruised ribs and a strained oblique he sustained...

NOVEMBER 22, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Won't play Week 11 The Steelers list Samuels (quadriceps) as out for Sunday's game against the Jaguars, Dale Lolley of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.

Impact Pittsburgh will be down two running backs in Samuels and Trey Edmunds in Week 11, but both have been lightly used depth options behind the clear top three options on the roster (James Conner, Benny Snell and Anthony McFarland). Samuels will be inactive for the first time all season after logging only 56 offensive snaps and five touches through Pittsburgh's first nine games.

NOVEMBER 20, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Misses practice to start week Samuels (quadriceps) didn't practice Wednesday.

Impact Samuels came off the reserve/COVID-19 list before last week's win over the Bengals but didn't touch the ball on offense while registering one special teams tackle. He may have picked up the quadriceps injury in that return to action, but either way, Samuels will likely need to raise his practice participation over the next couple days in order to suit up Sunday in Jacksonville.

NOVEMBER 18, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Steelers' Roethlisberger active after virus-related absence

The unbeaten Pittsburgh Steelers wound up relatively healthy for their game against the AFC North rival Cincinnati Bengals following a brush with the novel coronavirus

NOVEMBER 15, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Steelers' Roethlisberger, others removed from COVID-19 list

Ben Roethlisberger’s unexpected week off won’t stop him from starting against the Cincinnati Bengals

NOVEMBER 14, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Moves off reserve/COVID-19 list Samuels was activated off the reserve/COVID-19 list Saturday, Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Impact Samuels was activated off the list along with Ben Roethlisberger, offensive lineman Jerald Hawkins and linebacker Vince Williams. Each was considered "high-risk" close contacts, but self-isolation and multiple negative tests will allow them to take the field Sunday against the Bengals. The receiving back has been a bit player in the offense this season, recording a total of 13 yards on five touches.

NOVEMBER 14, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Steelers expect Roethlisberger to play against Bengals

The unbeaten Pittsburgh Steelers expect to have quarterback Ben Roethlisberger available when they host the Cincinnati Bengals

NOVEMBER 13, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Perfect Steelers facing COVID-19 issues as Bengals visit

The Pittsburgh Steelers are attempting to see if they can stay perfect and navigate the COVID-19 pandemic at the same time

NOVEMBER 12, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Steelers trying to get a grip on their 'virtual' reality

The Pittsburgh Steelers say they're making the best of being in the NFL's intensive COVID-19 protocol

NOVEMBER 11, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Tuesday's Sports in Brief

NOVEMBER 11, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Steelers' Roethlisberger, 3 teammates go on COVID-19 list

The Pittsburgh Steelers have placed four more players on the COVID-19 list, including quarterback Ben Roethlisberger

NOVEMBER 10, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Heads to COVID-19 list The Steelers placed Samuels on the reserve/COVID-19 list Tuesday, Teresa Varley of the team's official site reports.

Impact According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, Samuels and the other Steelers who were placed on the list Tuesday -- quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, offensive lineman Jerald Hawkins and linebacker Vince Williams -- were designated as "high-risk" close contacts of a positive individual. All four players must self-isolate and test negative while exhibiting no symptoms of COVID-19 for five days before being eligible to return from the list Saturday. Even if Samuels is cleared ahead of Sunday's game against the Bengals, he won't be in store for a major role after playing fewer than 10 offensive snaps in all but one contest this season.

NOVEMBER 10, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

The Latest: Knicks shut training center after positive tests

The New York Knicks have temporarily closed their training facility after three team employees tested positive for the coronavirus

NOVEMBER 10, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Picks up five yards in win Samuels recorded one carry for five yards in Sunday's 27-24 win over the Titans.

Impact Samuels' led the Steelers' backup running backs as he was on the field for nine of a possible 79 snaps on offense against the Titans, but he touched the ball just once in the win. The 24-year-old has recorded just three carries over the first six games of 2020 as much of his work has come on special teams this year.

OCTOBER 26, 2020 • ROTOWIRE