Pittsburgh Steelers: Should They Sign Another Running Back To Back Up Le’Veon Bell?

Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert and head coach Mike Tomlin on Tuesday parted ways with running back LeGarrette Blount.

For now, rookie Dri Archer and Josh Harris, who was promoted to the 53-man roster on Tuesday from the practice squad, join fullback Will Johnson as the only running options after Le’Veon Bell on the depth chart.

The Black and Gold added rookie free agent LaDarius Perkins on Wednesday to the practice squad for added insurance. During the 2014 National Football League Scouting Combine, the former Mississippi State tailback ran the 40-yard dash in 4.46 seconds and bench pressed 225 pounds 23 times. The bye week gives him time to become familiar with offensive coordinator Todd Haley’s playbook.

Bell talked with Mike Prisuta of Steelers.com on Wednesday.

“I’m still going to go out there and play my heart out like I usually do,” Bell said. “Whatever the team asks me to do I’m going to try my best to do it. I’ve been training this whole offseason for, if I don’t have to come out of the game, so I’ll still be energized, so I can still finish the fourth quarter, I don’t feel fatigued or tired. I’ve been working at that and continue to work at it in practice.”

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The former Michigan State tailback added to his accolades this week as he was the Steelers Digest Player of the Week on Tuesday and on Thursday, he was named the FedEx NFL Ground Player of the Week for his 204 yard performance against the Titans.

The question that still remains is – Where does Pittsburgh go now for added depth at running back? Former Steelers La’Rod Stephens-Howling and Felix Jones are available and at the very least know the system. Either one could be a stop-gap backup on the roster.

Another couple of possibilities to consider could be former Cincinnati Bengal Benjarvus Green-Ellis and former Baltimore Raven Bernard Scott. They would at least be familiar with the teams in the AFC North. Also without a team at the moment are Tashard Choice, formerly with the Cowboys, Michael Bush, formerly of the Bears, and Andre Brown, formerly of the Giants.

With the bye week, the Steelers can take a little bit of time to check out each of these gentlemen and evaluate what they would bring in terms of potential to the offense. Who do you think might be able to contribute to the Black and Gold this season? Should Pittsburgh bring in one more running back? Let me know in the comments below.

From The Clipboard: The New England Patriots re-signed Blount just two days after being let go by the Steelers…The Tribune-Review is reporting that Heinz Field is being considered as a possible location for the Jets-Bills game if Ralph Wilson Stadium is deemed unplayable from all the snow…Scott Brown of ESPN.com is reporting that safety Troy Polamalu expects to return from his knee injury after Pittsburgh’s bye week.