Advertisement

Steelers to re-sign RB Jonathan Dwyer barely a week after cutting him

The Pittsburgh Steelers are reportedly preparing to re-sign Jonathan Dwyer, who led the team in rushing last year but was cut during the preseason.
(Grant Halverson / Getty Images)
Share

Less than two weeks after cutting their leading rusher from a year ago, the Pittsburgh Steelers apparently have had a change of heart.

A team total of 32 yards on the ground during an embarrassing season-opening loss can have that effect. Not to mention a season-ending injury to an already-thin running backs corps.

According to multiple media reports Monday morning, the Steelers are set to re-sign Jonathan Dwyer after losing LaRod Stephens-Howling to a knee injury during a 16-9 loss to the Tennessee Titans on Sunday.

Advertisement

A sixth-round pick for the Steelers in 2010, Dwyer led the team last season with 623 yards in 13 games (six starts) -- not exactly monster numbers, but it was the best anyone on the squad could muster.

But he reported to training camp overweight and eventually lost the battle for the starting spot to Isaac Redman, then his roster spot to recent pickup Felix Jones -- even though Dwyer had worked himself into shape and was the team’s leading rusher during the preseason.

Now the Steelers need Dwyer -- at least until second-round draft pick Le’Veon Bell returns from a foot injury. Of course, they could use a lot more help too, after losing star center Maurkice Pouncey and inside linebacker Larry Foote for the season as well on Sunday.

But at least the Steelers wasted no time in swallowing their pride and making the obvious move to address their running back situation.

ALSO:

Step aside, Adrian Peterson; Terrelle Pryor is in a rush

Advertisement

Thinking and knowing are different things in NFL Week 1

49ers fan dies after falling at Candlestick Park during Sunday’s game

Advertisement