Steelers' Jaylen Samuels ready to take over starting RB role if needed

The Pittsburgh Steelers have gotten creative with how they have used running back Jaylen Samuels this season. He has lined up wide, in the slot, inline as a tight end and even behind center in the wildcat formation.

He has caught and thrown passes. And, yes, he has carried the ball as a traditional runner — just not as the feature back for an entire game.

That could change Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts. Samuels would make his first start of the season if James Conner is unable to return from an AC joint sprain in his shoulder.

Conner missed practiced Wednesday, and so did rookie running back Benny Snell, who suffered a knee injury in the Steelers’ 27-14 victory against the Miami Dolphins on Monday.

Samuels was the top backup until he had arthroscopic knee surgery Oct. 7, but he was cleared to practice last week and was a full participant Wednesday for the fourth session in a row.

“I feel good,” Samuels said. “I feel way better than during my rehab the past three weeks. I’ve been pushing myself hard to get back to the team. I’m ready to go this week.”

Conner leads the Steelers with 380 yards rushing and has 29 receptions for 236 yards with six combined touchdowns. He was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week after rushing for 145 yards against the Dolphins. Snell’s 118 yards are second on the team.

Samuels has 50 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries. Only once has he carried more than three times in a game this season. Conner had a season-high 23 attempts against the Dolphins.

“If that is the case and that’s what I’ve got to do, then that’s what I’ll do,” Samuels said. “We have the depth in the running back room to handle the situations we’re going through.”

Trey Edmunds, who primarily has played special teams in the two games since being promoted to the active roster, is the only other running back on the 53-man roster. The Steelers added a second running back to the practice squad Wednesday when they signed former Pitt tailback Darrin Hall. Former Oregon runner Tony Brooks-James is the other.

If Samuels starts, Edmunds is preparing to be the top backup.

“They haven’t told me yet, but like I do every week, I’m going to prepare like I am,” Edmunds said. “I’m going to go out there and make the most of every snap. That’s how I approach every game.”

So does Samuels. With Conner sitting out three games last year with a leg injury, Samuels filled in and had 142 yards rushing in a 17-10 victory against the New England Patriots in Week 15. It remains the last game the Patriots have lost.

“I’m going to take the same approach. I’m used to it,” Samuels said. “There’s no pressure, just a hard week of practice here and I have to prepare real good for a good team.”

And like last season, Samuels will have the benefit of a healthy Roosevelt Nix available at fullback. Nix’s return from his own knee injury was cited as a reason for the Steelers having their best rushing performance of the season.

“Just having Rosie back is a big difference,” Samuels said. “Having a fullback back in the game making plays and those blocks so we can cut off him is huge.”

The options behind Samuels and Edmunds lack NFL experience. Brooks-James and Hall were undrafted free agents. Brooks-James was with Atlanta and Tampa Bay before joining the Steelers. Hall was in training camp with Green Bay.

“I’m getting the hang of everything, and everyone has been able to help out with the plays you don’t know and the things you don’t know,” Brooks-James said.

Hall has more familiarity with the Steelers based on the four seasons he spent at Pitt. He already has one of coach Mike Tomlin’s phrases down pat.

“It’s that next-man up mentality,” he said. “I took that from Pitt, and I’ve got to be ready.”