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3 Steelers X-factors for showdown with the Colts

By Brandon Kring

PITTSBURGH, PA - AUGUST 17: Jaylen Samuels #38 of the Pittsburgh Steelers rushes for a 14 yard touchdown in the second quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs during a preseason game at Heinz Field on August 17, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - AUGUST 17: Jaylen Samuels #38 of the Pittsburgh Steelers rushes for a 14 yard touchdown in the second quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs during a preseason game at Heinz Field on August 17, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – OCTOBER 06: Jaylen Samuels #38 of the Pittsburgh Steelers stiff arms Chuck Clark #36 of the Baltimore Ravens on October 6, 2019 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – OCTOBER 06: Jaylen Samuels #38 of the Pittsburgh Steelers stiff arms Chuck Clark #36 of the Baltimore Ravens on October 6, 2019 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

Jaylen Samuels

The Steelers are banged up at running back with James Conner likely out this week with a shoulder injury, and Benny Snell set to miss multiple weeks after a small knee surgery. Jaylen Samuels is just getting back from his own knee surgery and will have to step right in as the number one back against Indianapolis.

Samuels is no stranger to stepping up as the bell-cow. In 2018, he started three games and ran for 223 yards on 42 carries and had 102 receiving yards on 12 catches with a touchdown.

Samuels was a considerable part of the win against New England last year running for over 100 yards and averaged over seven yards per carry. The Steelers will need a performance like that to help win this Sunday.

With the second and third-string backs for this week being practice squad guys forced to the 53-man due to injuries, Samuels can expect to be heavily involved in the offense and take the bulk of the snaps.

Samuels is a do-it-all back as he can run well between the tackles or to the outside, and he can receive out of the backfield or line up as a receiver. His versatility will help the Steelers offense change-up what they do throughout the game.

dark. Next. Steelers open as a ‘pick’em’ at home against the Colts this week

The Steelers have a great chance to win at home and get back to .500 on the season after a 3-4 start. No one expects anything out of the Steelers this season, and that can often be when a team becomes most dangerous.

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