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.
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.
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