In camp delayed by positive covid-19 test, Steelers’ Jaylen Samuels carves out role

After a long offseason without organized team activities or other in-person work amidst Pittsburgh Steelers teammates and coaches, Jaylen Samuels was again shut down less than a week into on-field team work.

On Aug. 2, Samuels was placed on the NFL’s reserve/covid-19 list. The running back confirmed Friday that he tested positive for the novel coronavirus but that he did not have any symptoms.

That meant an 11-day early-August span away from the team. Not exactly an ideal way to begin Year 3 in the NFL for a player at a position in which the Steelers have drafted players in the fourth round each of the past two years.

“It kind of did put me back a little bit with the football standpoint,” Samuels said of his time in a de facto quarantine while on the covid-19 list. “Conditioning-wise, I tried to stay up on it while I was at home just doing a little bit of stuff so when I came back I could act like I never missed a beat.

“When I got back, I felt good. My body felt good. I felt in shape still. I just tried hop right back on the bandwagon.”

Judging by the praise coach Mike Tomlin heaped on Samuels this week, it would appear his roster spot is safe — even among a crowded position room that also features starter James Conner, 2019 draft pick Benny Snell Jr., rookie Anthony McFarland, and intriguing returnee Kerrith Whyte.

Samuels’ advantage is that as a former college receiver and tight end he brings a unique skillset to the running backs room that none of his teammates can fully match when it comes to the passing game.

“He is continuing to be impressive with his versatility,” Tomlin said. “I think that is the thing that has always kind of distinguished him in a competitive setting among his peers: his ability to do a variety of things at a relatively high level particularly in the passing game and outside the backfield with his hands and route-running. It is above the line from a running back perspective, for sure.”

Kevin Gorman: Jaylen Samuels embraces increased ‘slash-fun player’ role for Steelers | https://t.co/hVDbdnrrke https://t.co/WMZkU7f1st

— Kevin Gorman (@KevinGormanPGH) September 6, 2019

While the Steelers toyed with using Samuels as more of a traditional “running back” at times in 2018, last season they seemed to avoid that in lieu of deploying him as a gadget player. Samuels said he likes being “a hybrid” and that is what he worked on over the offseason and how he expects to be utilized in 2020.

“They are asking for pretty much the same thing,” Samuels said, “involving me a lot in the passing game but also trying to get me in the run game as well when they can. The majority of the passing game, on passing downs, third downs, situations like that, situational football. I’m just coming to work every day and just trying to embrace my role.”

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