MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The Pittsburgh Steelers Tuesday announced the signing of former West Virginia University running back Wendell Smallwood to a one-year contract.
 
Since leaving WVU a year early following a 1,549-yard junior campaign in 2015, Smallwood has spent four seasons in the NFL with the Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Redskins.
 
His most productive year came with the Eagles in 2018 when he rushed for 364 yards and scored three touchdowns in 16 games.
 
Last year, Smallwood had just 22 carries for 81 yards in 15 games with the Redskins.
 
In 52 career NFL games, Smallwood has rushed for 931 yards and five touchdowns while averaging four yards per carry.
 
The Wilmington, Delaware, native is joining a very crowded Pittsburgh backfield that includes former Pitt standout James Conner, 2018 fourth-round draft choice Benny Snell and second-year performer Anthony McFarland from Maryland.
 
The Steelers also have Jaylen Samuels and Kerrith Whyte on a roster that will likely carry only three running backs when the season begins.
 
Pittsburgh now has eight running backs listed on its preseason roster.
 
The Steelers fan website Still Curtain postulates that the signing of Smallwood is likely an insurance policy for Pittsburgh because of Conner's durability and fumbling issues and the possibility of a running back opting out because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
The Steelers do have some familiarity with Smallwood because longtime general manager Kevin Colbert watched Smallwood play numerous times in person when he was at WVU.