Jaylen Samuels Fantasy Football News | Shark Bites

The Cardinals have released RB Jaylen Samuels, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Arizona will move forward with Darrel Williams, Eno Benjamin and rookie Keaontay Ingram behind James Conner.

Cardinals GM Steve Keim gave a breakdown on rookie RB Keaontay Ingram. "A big, physical back. A downhill runner. A good special teamer. A guy that we think can certainly contribute," Keim said. "Thought he had a really nice year this year and a lot of good things to like about him.” In 2021, Ingram posted 156-911-5 (10 games) as a power back for USC. Across 4 seasons (2 at USC, 2 at Texas) Ingram collected 89 receptions. The 6th-round pick will battle Eno Benjamin, Jonathan Ward, Jaylen Samuels and UDFA Ronnie Rivers for a depth role behind James Conner.

Texans RB David Johnson (illness, thigh) is "unlikely" to play vs. the Colts today, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. We'll find out for sure around 11:30 am ET. Johnson and Rex Burkhead have been splitting backfield work lately, so Johnson's absence would be a boost to Burkhead's projected volume. Houston also has RBs Royce Freeman and Jaylen Samuels on the active roster.

Steelers WR James Washington has been placed on the COVID list. A prolonged absence might give rookie Chase Claypool a chance to claim Pittsburgh's #3 WR job, which belongs to Washington for now. We'll see when he's able to get back on the field. RB Jaylen Samuels was also placed on the COVID list.

The Steelers selected Maryland RB Anthony McFarland in the 4th round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Watch McFarland’s 298-yard, 2-TD dismantling of Ohio State back in 2018 and you’d think he’s 1 of the top backs in this class. That was part of an impressive redshirt freshman season that saw him tally 1,034 yards on 7.9 yards per carry. 39 of his 131 carries went for 10+ yards that year. McFarland took a colossal step back this past season, though, battling through a high-ankle sprain and totaling just 614 yards on 114 carries (5.4 YPC). He’s also fairly inexperienced in the passing game, with only 24 catches across the past 2 years. But McFarland’s flashes are exciting. And the 5’8, 208-pounder confirmed his big-play ability with a 4.44-second 40 time at the Combine. He’s an intriguing addition to Pittsburgh’s backfield alongside James Conner, Benny Snell and Jaylen Samuels.

Steelers RB Benny Snell (knee) was a full-go in Wednesday's practice. That puts him on track to play against the Bengals this weekend. Snell figures to mix in on early downs alongside Jaylen Samuels -- assuming James Conner is out.

Steelers RB Benny Snell is expected to miss 2-3 weeks after undergoing surgery to trim the meniscus in his injured knee. That means RB Jaylen Samuels will be locked into a feature role against the Colts this Sunday if RB James Conner's shoulder injury keeps him out.

Steelers RB Jaylen Samuels (knee) is "ready to go" for Week 9, HC Mike Tomlin said Tuesday. Samuels was a full-go in practice all last week before being ruled inactive for Monday night's game against Miami. His return comes at a good time after RBs James Conner (shoulder) and Benny Snell (knee) both left the Dolphins game with injuries. Conner reportedly has a shot to play against the Colts this weekend. But Samuels should be owned in all fantasy leagues at this point.

Steelers RB Jaylen Samuels is inactive for tonight's game against the Dolphins. He entered the night questionable after returning to full practices all week. But Samuels is just 3 weeks removed from arthroscopic knee surgery. It's undoubtedly a good thing Pittsburgh decided to rest him at least another week rather than push Samuels back for a game in which the offense shouldn't need him. Samuels' absence keeps Benny Snell in the #2 RB role.

Steelers RB Jaylen Samuels in questionable for Monday night's game against the Dolphins but appears likely to play. He told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review that he's "real close" to 100% and put in full practices all week. Samuels seems likely to play, though it'll be risky to wait on him unless you have another Monday night play to sub in. The matchup with Miami does add some sleeper appeal.

Steelers RB Jaylen Samuels (knee) was listed as a full participant in Thursday's practice. He's seemingly ready to return for Monday night's game against the Dolphins just 3 weeks after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his left knee. Samuels should slide back in as Pittsburgh's #2 RB and is on the RB3/Flex radar vs. Miami's 31st-ranked RB defense.

Steelers RB Jaylen Samuels had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee on Monday and is expected to be sidelined for a month, HC Mike Tomlin said. That makes Samuels droppable outside of deep fantasy leagues. His absence leaves rookie Benny Snell as Pittsburgh's #2 RB but should really lock James Conner into a workhorse role.

Steelers RB James Conner (knee) didn't practice on Wednesday. His injury reportedly isn't serious, and he's expressed confidence about his availability for this weekend's game against the 49ers. But we'll feel a lot better about his status if he's able to get out on the practice field tomorrow. Jaylen Samuels will serve as Pittsburgh's lead back if Conner doesn't play Sunday.

Steelers RB Jaylen Samuels is expected to play a big role in the team's passing game this season, according to The Athletic's Mark Kaboly. "The Steelers have been so enamored with his route-running ability that a good chunk of their post-Antonio Brown offense has been modified to incorporate Samuels’ best skills: running routes, catching footballs and creating mismatches," Kaboly writes. Samuels racked up 195 receptions over his final 3 seasons at North Carolina State and then posted a 26-199-3 receiving line on 29 targets as a rookie. He ranked 14th in Pro Football Focus' receiving grades among 62 RBs with 20+ targets last season. Antonio Brown leaves behind 168 targets from a year ago, and it sounds like Samuels is in line to soak up a bunch of those. He has a shot at RB3 value in PPR leagues -- even behind a healthy James Conner.

The Steelers have been using RBs James Conner and Jaylen Samuels in the same backfield during some plays in OTAs, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “I think that could be kind of special with me and [Conner] in the backfield," Samuels said. "Me and him in the game, period. We’re just building on from that right now… He’s more of a runner and a catcher, as well, but I can get outside and run routes, as well. To have that dual threat with me and him in the game, it could be really scary for defenses.” Conner was excellent as Pittsburgh's feature back for 13 games last season. But Samuels also impressed when given a shot, racking up 223 yards on 5.3 yards per carry and a 12-105-1 receiving line in 3 starts late in the year. There are touches to go around this season with Antonio Brown's departure, and Samuels has the receiving ability to capture some of them. He's an intriguing later-round pick in fantasy drafts.

The Steelers selected RB Benny Snell in Round 4 of the NFL Draft. The 5'10, 224-pounder posted big rushing numbers at Kentucky, topping 1,000 yards in each of his 3 seasons en route to career totals of 3,873 yards and 48 rushing scores. He caught a just-decent 29 passes but flashed worthwhile hands on tape. In Pittsburgh, Snell will have to battle Jaylen Samuels to back up James Conner. Samuels showed well late in 2018, with Conner out. The starter will be in the final year of his rookie contract in 2020, giving Snell a bit of appeal later in dynasty rookie drafts. He doesn't look like an asset to chase, though.

Steelers RB James Conner (ankle) is active for today’s game against the Bengals. He put in 3 practices this week and passed his final test in pregame warmups. We’re expecting Conner to step back in as Pittsburgh’s lead back, with RB Jaylen Samuels in a change-of-pace role.

Steelers RB James Conner (ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Bengals. He was a full-go in practice all week, though, putting him on track to play. Conner might cede some passing-down work to Jaylen Samuels, but we’re expecting him to step back in as Pittsburgh’s lead back.