Pittsburgh Steelers urged to poach Commanders RB as injuries add up

Val Dewar

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Pittsburgh Steelers urged to poach Commanders RB as injuries add up image

Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

Washington Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. (23) celebrates a second half touchdown against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium.

Coming into the 2024 NFL season, the Pittsburgh Steelers' backfield was projected to be one of the strengths of the position.

Not only did Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren combine for 1,174 rushing yards and seven touchdowns in the final nine games of the 2023 season, but Arthur Smith brought veteran running back Cordarrelle Patterson with him to Pittsburgh from the Atlanta Falcons. 

However, Najee Harris is only averaging 3.4 yards per carry, Jaylen Warren has been injured more than he has not, and Cordarrelle Patterson — the only player able to find running room for Pittsburgh last Sunday against Indianapolis — exited right before halftime and is questionable to play this coming weekend.

Though there is no official word on if Warren will play in Week 5, the team would likely prefer to not have to field a career practice squad player like Aaron Shampklin, who got his first career carry against the Colts on Sunday after two years in the NFL.

So the suggestion from Bleacher Report's Scouting Department that the Steelers poach bruising power rusher Chris Rodriguez Jr from the Washington Commanders’ practice squad makes a lot of sense.

Rodriguez was a sixth-round pick out of Kentucky last year and served as the Commanders’ third-string running back for most of the season. In relief of Brian Robinson Jr. and Antonio Gibson, he toted the rock 51 times for 247 yards — that’s an average of 4.8 yards per carry — and two touchdowns.

That YPC stat looks especially attractive for an offense that has averaged a pitiful 3.7 yards per carry this season.

Rodriguez being on the practice squad means the Steelers could sign him at any time to their 53-man roster. However, there's a chance the Commanders could promote him with Austin Ekeler is dealing with a concussion, so Omar Khan would be well-served to get Rodriguez signed quickly.

Val Dewar

Val Dewar Photo

Val was initiated into Steelers Nation from the moment he was born — his first memory is a game vs. New England from when "Slash" was QB — and doing sports writing has always been a dream career for him. In 2022 he broke into the industry by writing about combat sports for Cageside Press, and now has the opportunity to continue that work with TSN as an MMA writer, as well as get his feet wet on the Steelers beat.