Pittsburgh Steelers running back Aaron Shampklin (33) is tackled by Detroit Lions safety Chelen Garnes (35) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)AP
The Pittsburgh Steelers are elevating running back Aaron Shampklin from the practice squad for Sunday’s game against the Indianapolis Colts. With running back Jaylen Warren out due to a knee injury, Shampklin will now get the chance to show what he can do.
Shampklin signed with the Steelers in January on a reserve/future contract. The former Harvard running back was an undrafted free agent who has bounced around the league and spent time with the Dallas Cowboys, Los Angeles Chargers, and Indianapolis Colts before landing in Pittsburgh.
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After being released in the initial rounds of cuts down to a 53-man roster, he circled back around and joined the Steelers’ practice squad. Shampklin and veteran running back Jonathan Ward competed this week to see who would get the elevation, and Shampklin is the one who ended up winning out on that role.
“We’ve been practicing hard in the practice squad, so we’re just taking it like we did last week,” Shampklin said. “Our coach has us prepared like we’re gonna play anyway….I’m just excited.”
Shampklin and Ward each took two carries and off during practice this week, and at times, they were the only two running backs doing anything since Najee Harris and Cordarrelle Patterson received rest days over the week.
That helps their conditioning, and Shampklin can play on special teams, too, which is key for a third running back. Now, after training camp, Shampklin is more comfortable in the system.
“It’s more of working on, as coach says, skills relative to your position,” Shampklin said. “So things that I know that are elements in my game or things that I wanna add to it, I practice trying to really focus on those things, and nd not so much as the playbook.”
He will get to show off what he can do against the Colts. While the Steelers do not often go three deep into their lineup and will likely rely upon Harris and Patterson a lot, Shampklin might see his chances this week with a run-heavy game coming.