Benny Snell Jr. News

The 24-year-old lost out on his role as the No. 2 running back to undrafted rookie Jaylen Warren in 2022, and Snell wasn't on the field for any offensive snaps over the final four weeks of the regular season. The 2019 fourth-rounder rushed 20 times for 90 yards while securing both of his targets for 17 yards this season. Snell is set to become an unrestricted free agent during the offseason, and it wouldn't be surprising to see him seek out another team since he's lost out on work in Pittsburgh over the last two years.

Snell was limited by a knee injury during Thursday's practice session but was cleared to play in Week 13 after practicing fully Friday. He logged a season-high 62 rushing yards against the Colts last week since Pittsburgh's backfield was shorthanded, but he was less involved in Week 13 since both Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren were back to full health. While Snell was relatively efficient with his limited opportunities, he played just nine offensive snaps in the win and is unlikely to have a significant role in the team's offense as long as Harris and Warren remain healthy.

Snell popped up on the injury report Thursday as a limited participant due to a knee injury, but he returned to full participation Friday and is cleared for Week 13. Najee Harris also doesn't carry an injury designation into Sunday's matchup despite an oblique injury that held him to just one limited practice, and Harris' top backup, Jaylen Warren (hamstring), is listed as questionable despite practicing in full throughout Week 13 prep. With Warren inactive and Harris forced out of Week 12, Snell logged season highs in rushing attempts and rushing yards, but he figures to see a reduced role with at least one of the Steelers' top two backs healthy for Pittsburgh's matchup against Atlanta's porous run defense.

Snell appears to have picked up a knee issue at some point during practice, as he popped up on the Week 13 injury report for the first time Thursday. The third-string running back also logged a season-high 12 rushes for 62 yards and a touchdown with Jaylen Warren (hamstring) inactive and Najee Harris (abdomen) forced out during Monday's win versus the Colts. While the nature of this injury is still unclear, Snell will have one more practice to return to full participation, or else he could be in jeopardy of missing Sunday's contest versus Atlanta.

Harris was in and out of the game in the first half before being ruled out at halftime due to an abdominal injury. With Jaylen Warren (hamstring) inactive, Snell took over as the lead back after Harris' exit, with Anthony McFarland spelling him. Snell punched in the go-ahead touchdown from two yards out early in the fourth quarter and could maintain the lead role in Week 13 against the Falcons if Harris and Warren remain sidelined.

Snell played 69 percent of Pittsburgh's snaps on special teams Sunday, but he was held off the field offensively for a third consecutive week. The 2019 fourth-rounder is firmly behind Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren on the Steelers' depth chart.