Former Speedy Steelers RB Lands with Dolphins
Former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Anthony McFarland Jr. signed with the Miami Dolphins on Monday, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston.
McFarland led the San Antonio Brahmas to the UFL Championship Game in June, rushing for 115 yards on 11 carries and a touchdown in the Brahmas’ 25-15 victory over the St. Louis Battlehawks.
McFarland only played in five games for San Antonio this past season, rushing 47 times for 192 yards and one score in the regular season.
McFarland was the Steelers’ fourth-round pick out of Maryland in 2020. He displayed promise at times, but injuries ultimately derailed his tenure with the Steelers.
McFarland played in three games last season and caught two passes for 11 yards. He also started the season as the team’s primary kickoff returner, averaging 27.3 yards per return on six kicks.
But after a knee injury sidelined him for a significant portion of the season, McFarland was unable to win that job back from Godwin Igwebuike, a safety-turned-running back that has also been a positive contributor on coverage units. Igwebuike has averaged 25.1 yards per kickoff return.
Igwebuike finished as the only backup behind co-starters Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren on the 53-man roster, and the Steelers rounded out their practice squad with McFarland, but running back Aaron Shampklin received a reserve/future contract while McFarland did not.
The Steelers’ fourth-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, McFarland has been with the club his entire career, but he has been released before. He was waived coming out of training camp in 2022, was re-signed to the practice squad, and spent that entire season on that unit before returning for 2023.
McFarland’s best performance during his time with the Steelers was against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 12 of the 2022 season, as he racked up 30 yards on six carries (5.0 average).
Overall, he recorded 146 yards on 42 carries (3.5 average) and 11 receptions for 87 yards during his four seasons with the Steelers. He had no rushing or receiving touchdowns.
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