Steelers' newest running back, Kerrith Whyte, eager to make NFL debut
It was his first day in the Pittsburgh Steelers locker room earlier this week, his NFL debut days away. Even with that dream on the horizon, Kerrith Whyte wasn’t going to overthink it.
“I try to keep football real simple,” the Steelers newest running back said. “I have been playing it all my life, it’s just a different level, it’s the best of the best. I keep continuing to work each and every day in practice and perfect my skills and my craft and continue to push everyday and show everyone what I’m capable of doing.”
Kerrith Whyte Jr. can scaaaamper. ? #Bears pic.twitter.com/7881ja5Ko7
— Frank Grizzly. (@GrizzlyGridiron) August 9, 2019
Whyte likely will get that first chance during a regular-season game Sunday when the Steelers play at the Cincinnati Bengals. The Steelers signed Whyte, a rookie seventh-round pick by the Chicago Bears, to add to their depleted running backs room.
Starter James Conner is doubtful, and backup Benny Snell is returning from a three-game absence because of a knee injury. Whyte would figure to have a role in the Steelers’ offense this week. Jaylen Samuels and Trey Edmunds are the only other running backs on the active roster.
“I felt like it was a great opportunity I couldn’t pass up,” Whyte said of signing with the Steelers, “and get some good film out there and show everyone what I’m about.”
#Steelers signed RB Kerrith Whyte on Saturday and don't be surprised if he's the kick returner against the Bengals in Week 11. He had a long one with Bears in preseason negated by a hold. pic.twitter.com/FUIMCIw2MY
— Steel-Videos (@sdextrasmedia) November 17, 2019
The 5-foot-10, 204-pound Whyte accumulated 1,358 rushing yards, 227 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns at Florida Atlantic. He had 69 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown on 20 touches in the preseason for the Bears.
Whyte could fill a third-down role Sunday. He could see kickoff return action, too. He returned 81 kicks over the past three seasons with FAU.
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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.
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