With health being an issue this season for the Steelers, they have traded away linebacker Adrian Robinson for running back Felix Jones, who will help out the Steelers offense while running back Le’Veon Bell is out.
Earlier this week, it was reported that Bell will be missing 6-8 weeks due to a Lisfranc injury. At the time, Issac Redman was announced the week one starter, but that may change with the addition of Jones. The Steelers may pursue a running back-by-committee approach until Bell returns, which means Redman, Jones, and Jonathan Dwyer would split the rushing load. Larod Stephens-Howling and Baron Batch are also on the current preseason roster who could contribute in the running game.
As for Jones, he was acquired by the Philadelphia Eagles this past offseason, but will not play a snap for them this season as he’s now part of the Steelers. Jones was drafted in the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys out of Arkansas and was one of the main contributors to the Cowboys running game for a couple seasons. He was never the primary back for the Cowboys, but used a lot out of the backfield as a receiving running back, along with getting third down carries. The presence of Marion Barber and DeMarco Murray held him up from being the number one back.
Heading back to Philadelphia in the trade is Robinson, the second-year linebacker out of Temple. Outside of special teams, Robinson wasn’t used much in the defensive game plan last season, but there was a possibility that could change this season.
Jones can definitely help out the Steelers. If I had to guess, he will be involved in the running game just as much as anybody else until Bell returns. Mixing him in with Dwyer and Redman sets up a solid running back-by-committee that the Steelers could choose to go to while they wait for Bell’s return.
Photo Credit: Associated Press
