Pittsburgh Steelers reportedly to re-sign RB Jonathan Dwyer
By Matt Shetler
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ running back situation was in shambles before it was announced that LaRod Stephens-Howling would be lost for the season with a torn ACL.
With rookie Le’Veon Bell still nursing a foot injury, the Steelers needed to add a back for their Week 2 Monday night matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals and it looks like they are turning to a familiar face.
According to the Post Gazette’s Ed Bouchette, the Steelers have re-signed Jonathan Dwyer, who they released just a week ago.
#Steelers will re-sign RB Jonathan Dwyer
— Ed Bouchette (@EdBouchette) September 9, 2013
Aug 24, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jonathan Dwyer (27) runs the ball past Kansas City Chiefs safety Husain Abdullah (39) and linebacker Derrick Johnson (56) in the first half at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports
It make sense for the Steelers to bring back Dwyer as he is fresh off a decent preseason where he led the Steelers in rushing and he is a guy who knows the system already. That means he could see some time against the Bengals.
It was a surprise that the Steelers didn’t part ways with the Georgia Tech product back in the spring when he reported weighing in at 265 pounds, but Dwyer ended up putting the work in and didn’t look bad in the preseason.
Given the struggles of Isaac Redman in Week 1 (nine yards on eight carries with two fumbles); it wouldn’t surprise me to see Dwyer get a heavy workload Monday night.
However given the struggles of the Steelers offensive line, it may not matter who the running back is.
Dwyer lead the Steelers last year with 623 yards rushing on 156 carries (4.0 average), as part of a unit that finished 26th in the NFL in rushing. However one of his two 100-yard games came in October against the Bengals, where he carried the ball 17 times for 122 yards, the best performance of his career.