JUNE 1, 2022 • USATODAY.COM
JAYLEN SAMUELS
Cardinals officially sign RB Darrel Williams, release RB Jaylen Samuels The former Chiefs RB was one of only seven backs last season to have at least 500 rushing yards and 400 receiving yards.
Joining Cardinals for 2022 The Cardinals signed Samuels to a reserve/future contract Wednesday.
Impact The running back finished the 2021 campaign with the Texans after being released by the Steelers in late October, but he will now be joining the Cardinals for the 2022 season. Samuels appeared in three games with the Texans this season, rushing the ball five times for nine yards while reeling in three catches for 14 yards.
JANUARY 19, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
On practice squad once again Samuels reverted to the Texans' practice squad Monday.
Impact Samuels touched the ball on six of the nine offensive snaps he played Week 17 against the 49ers, rushing three times for seven yards and recording three receptions for 14 yards. He also played nine snaps on special teams.
JANUARY 4, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Gets six touches in loss Samuels had three carries for seven yards and caught all three targets for 14 yards in Sunday's 23-7 loss to the 49ers.
Impact Samuels was promoted to the active roster for the third time this season. He got some run Sunday with David Johnson on the reserve/COVID-19 list, but it was as the third back behind Rex Burkhead and Royce Freeman.
JANUARY 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Elevated for Week 17 Samuels was elevated to the Texans' active roster from the practice squad Saturday for Sunday's game against the 49ers, Aaron Wilson of Sportstalk 790 Houston report.
Impact Samuels will join the gameday roster for the second straight week after playing one snap on offense and six snaps on special teams Week 16. He'll likely fill a similar role versus San Francisco.
JANUARY 1, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Colts activate QB Carson Wentz from COVID-19 list
The Indianapolis Colts activated quarterback Carson Wentz from the reserve/COVID-19 list Saturday and he should be able to start against Las Vegas on SundayJANUARY 1, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Reverts back to practice squad Samuels reverted to the Texans' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's transaction report.
Impact Samuels saw one snap on offense and six snaps on special teams during Sunday's 41-29 win over the Chargers. He technically registered one kick return on a pooch kick by Los Angeles kicker Dustin Hopkins, but Samuels opted to give himself up after catching the kick.
DECEMBER 28, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Plays one offensive snap in win Samuels appeared on offense for one play and on special teams for six during Sunday's 41-29 win over the Chargers.
Impact Samuels was a practice squad callup for Sunday's game but did not see significant action. He technically had one kick return, a pooch kick by Los Angeles kicker Dustin Hopkins that he chose not to return.
DECEMBER 27, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Bumped up from practice squad Samuels was promoted from the practice squad to the active roster Saturday, Aaron Wilson of Sportstalk 790 Houston reports.
Impact Samuels' move to the active roster may be a bad sign for David Johnson's (quadriceps) availability Sunday against the Chargers. Samuels, the former Steeler, has appeared in one game for the Texans this season, in Week 13 against the Colts, where he played seven snaps on offense. Samuels did receive two carries and earned two yards. He'll likely be looking to provide depth at running back if Johnson sits this one out.
DECEMBER 26, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Clears COVID-19 protocols Samuels (undisclosed) was activated from the Texans' practice squad COVID-19 list Thursday, Sarah Barshop of ESPN reports.
Impact Samuels reverts to Houston's practice squad now that he has cleared COVID-19 protocols. It's possible the team will elevate him before Sunday's game against the Chargers, as David Johnson has been unable to practice due to a quadriceps injury, leaving only Rex Burkhead and Royce Freeman as the healthy running backs on the roster.
DECEMBER 24, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Placed on COVID-19 list Samuels (undisclosed) was placed on the Texans' practice squad COVID-19 list Saturday.
Impact Samuels is fresh off his Texans debut in Week 13 against the Colts. He played seven snaps and had two carries for two yards and a target he couldn't haul in. He was reverted back to the practice squad Dec. 6 and will now try to clear COVID protocols as he looks to earn another shot with the active roster.
DECEMBER 12, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Moved to practice squad Samuels was reverted to the Texans' practice squad Monday.
Impact Samuels was elevated prior to Sunday's loss to the Colts, rushing the ball twice for two yards. The running back will head back down to the practice squad as David Johnson (illness) is expected to be ready for Week 14.
DECEMBER 7, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Makes Texans debut Samuels had two carries for two yards and did not catch his lone target in Sunday's 31-0 loss to the Colts.
Impact Samuels, who was called up from the practice squad to provide insurance with David Johnson (illness) inactive, played eight snaps in his debut for the Texans. He logged in as the third back behind Rex Burkhead and Royce Freeman. While the Texans have started to integrate young talent at other positions, they've held steadfast with established veterans at running back. Burkhead and Johnson remain atop the depth chart, but Houston head coach David Culley may eventually turn to guys like Samuels and Freeman as the franchise's focus pivots toward 2022 roster potentials.
DECEMBER 6, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Called up from practice squad Samuels was elevated from the practice squad Saturday, Brooks Kubena of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Impact Samuels was signed to the Texans' practice squad in late October, though he has yet to be active in 2021. He should serve as insurance for David Johnson (illness) on Sunday against the Colts, and he could work behind Rex Burkhead if Johnson is unable to suit up.
DECEMBER 4, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Joins Steelers' practice squad Samuels was added to the Steelers' practice squad Wednesday, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.
Impact Samuels failed to secure a depth role on Pittsburgh's 53-man roster, but he should be available to step in as a backup if the team's running backs deal with injuries. The 2018 fifth-rounder appeared in 14 games for the Steelers last year but tallied just nine carries for 28 yards while hauling in nine of his 14 targets for 46 yards.
SEPTEMBER 2, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Fails to make roster The Steelers cut Samuels on Tuesday, Ed Bouchette of The Athletic reports.
Impact Samuels was unable to retain a spot on the initial 53-man roster with Benny Snell, Kalen Ballage and Anthony McFarland (undisclosed) all around to handle reserve roles behind Najee Harris. The third-down specialist could realistically draw interest elsewhere in the league, especially given that he can also contribute on special teams.
AUGUST 31, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Effective as receiver Samuels carried the ball three times for eight yards in Friday's preseason game against the Panthers. He added two receptions on two targets for 20 yards.
Impact Samuels didn't do much as a rusher after picking up eight yards on his first carry. However, he did appear more dynamic as a receiver out of the backfield by managing gains of 13 and seven yards. Samuels didn't enter the game until Joshua Dobbs was under center in the third quarter. With both Benny Snell and Kalen Ballage largely working ahead of him, Samuels may be at risk of losing out on a roster spot.
AUGUST 28, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Productive against Eagles Samuels recorded 10 carries for 45 yards and a touchdown, and he hauled his lone target for 17 yards in Thursday's 24-16 preseason win over the Eagles.
Impact Samuels led the Steelers' running backs by playing 27 percent of the team's offensive snaps in Thursday's exhibition game, and he recorded double-digit touches for a second straight week. While he had an inefficient 1.8 yards per carry in the Hall of Fame Game against the Cowboys, he was much more effective with 4.5 yards per carry Thursday. The 2018 fifth-rounder remains in a competition for a backup role with Kalen Ballage (lower body), Anthony McFarland and Benny Snell (undisclosed).
AUGUST 13, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Steelers rally behind Haskins to beat Eagles 24-16
Dwayne Haskins continued his push for the backup quarterback spotAUGUST 13, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Jaylen Samuels keeps legs churning for strong short-yardage TD Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Samuels rushes for a 1-yard touchdown.
AUGUST 13, 2021 • NFL.COM
Logs 11 carries in preseason opener Samuels rushed 11 times for 20 yards and hauled in his lone target for five yards in the Steelers' 16-3 preseason win over the Cowboys in Thursday's Hall of Fame Game.
Impact Samuels is competing for the primary backup role behind Najee Harris ahead of the regular season, and he led the team's backfield in touches during the preseason opener. However, his 1.8 yards per carry ranked last among the team's running backs. Harris will command the majority of the work this season, and Samuels will have to show better efficiency later in the preseason if he hopes to differentiate himself from Kalen Ballage, Anthony McFarland and Benny Snell.
AUGUST 6, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Steelers roster: RB Jaylen Samuels has nothing to offer this team in 2021 The Steelers experimented with Jaylen Samuels in the 2018 NFL Draft, but here's why he has nothing to offer Pittsburgh in 2021. It was a di...
MAY 30, 2021 • STILLCURTAIN.COM
Gets more competition in offseason Samuels will have to compete for touches once again this season after the Steelers selected Najee Harris with the 24th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, Mark Kaboly of The Athlet...
Impact After James Conner signed with the Cardinals during the offseason, the Steelers signed Kalen Ballage at the end of March before selecting Harris with their first pick in the draft. Samuels was mainly limited to special-teams work in 2021, and he could have to compete for a roster spot during training camp and the preseason now that the team's depth chart at running back is even more crowded. Samuels rushed nine times for 28 yards while hauling in nine passes for 46 yards in 2020.
APRIL 30, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Limited to special-teams work Samuels was on the field for only 10 snaps on special teams during Sunday's 24-22 loss to the Browns.
Impact Even as the Steelers relied heavily on their depth players in Sunday's Week 17 matchup, Samuels wasn't on the field for any offensive snaps against the Browns. The 24-year-old was far less involved in the Steelers' offensive attack this year than he had been in past seasons. He rushed nine times for 28 yards while hauling in nine of his 14 targets for 46 yards. He could move up the depth chart in 2021 if James Conner doesn't return to the team during the offseason, but he should continue to see a minimal role in the playoffs and will likely serve in a depth role once again next year.
JANUARY 4, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Goes without Week 16 carry Samuels did not receive any rush attempts or targets during Sunday's 28-24 win over the Colts.
Impact The veteran back saw four of his 19 snaps on the offensive side, but he went without a touch for the first time over his past four appearances. James Conner's return from a quadriceps injury all but eliminated an already minimal offensive role for Samuels. He's totaled 74 scrimmage yards with no touchdowns over 18 combined carries and rush attempts this season.
DECEMBER 30, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
