No more ‘Benny Snell football,’ but Steelers rookie ‘110%’ healthy, ready to contribute
Benny Snell is no longer referencing “Benny Snell football.” But Snell is ready to show his talents once again.
“I’m 110%, baby,” the Pittsburgh Steelers rookie running back said Thursday.
Snell was a full practice participant for the second consecutive day Thursday and is primed to return from knee surgery after sitting out the past three games.
With starter James Conner likely out because of a nagging shoulder injury and Tony Brooks-James released, the Steelers are down to special-teamer Trey Edmunds and versatile Jaylen Samuels in addition to Snell as healthy running backs.
Samuels will start, but Snell might be the Steelers’ best runner at the present time.
“What the coaches call is whatever they call, but I am going to run it to the best of my ability,” Snell said. “The coaches know how they can use me, and I am going to try to do my best, whatever situation they put me in.”
Snell has 28 carries for 118 yards and one catch for 14 yards in seven games this season.
He represents hope for an offense whose running game has sputtered in recent weeks. The Steelers have fallen to 27th in the NFL in rushing offense and have totaled just 100 rushing yards over the past two games combined.
In the game in which he has more than half his NFL touches, Snell had 17 carries for 75 yards and his lone pro catch during a 24-17 win at the Los Angeles Chargers on Oct. 13.
“I like the idea that Benny Snell is back at practice again,” offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner said.
“…I thought he was making some really nice strides the last time we saw him. Hopefully, that’ll keep the train on track.”
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin during his weekly news conference on Tuesday challenged Snell, as a rookie, to be mentally prepared if he was to earn his “hat” and be active after the monthlong layoff. Snell pronounced himself prepared.
One thing Snell did not say Thursday was the three words he repeated often over the summer after he was taken in the fourth round by the Steelers: “Benny Snell football.”
“See I am not really used to you all,” Snell said, referring to the Pittsburgh media. “That’s the thing. If I was more used to you all, you all would get it more. But I feel like y’all play games with players.”
Hey, Steelers Nation, get the latest news about the Pittsburgh Steelers here.
Chris Adamski is a TribLive reporter who has covered primarily the Pittsburgh Steelers since 2014 following two seasons on the Penn State football beat. A Western Pennsylvania native, he joined the Trib in 2012 after spending a decade covering Pittsburgh sports for other outlets. He can be reached at cadamski@triblive.com.
Remove the ads from your TribLIVE reading experience but still support the journalists who create the content with TribLIVE Ad-Free.