Steelers Re-Sign Darrin Hall to Practice Squad as RB Injuries Mount

One day after re-signing him to their practice squad, the Steelers released linebacker Sutton Smith on Thursday, instead re-signing running back Darrin Hall.

Hall, a rookie running back out of Pitt, had just been released from the Steelers’ practice squad on Tuesday, when tight end Kevin Rader and wide receiver Terry Wright were added to the unit.

Smith, the Steelers’ sixth-round pick out of Northern Illinois that was released at the end of the preseason, was added on Wednesday, filling a vacant practice squad spot that had existed since running back Tony Brooks-James was promoted to the active roster on Saturday.

But that same shortage that led to Brooks-James’ promotion reared up again the following week, leading the Steelers to bring Hall back into the fold.

Starter James Conner is still being bothered by an AC joint injury suffered in the waning moments of the Steelers’ Week 8 win over the Miami Dolphins. He did not practice on Wednesday.

Neither did third-string back Benny Snell, Jr., who suffered a knee injury against the Dolphins and is expected to miss another week or two after undergoing surgery to trim his meniscus.

Also held out were fourth-string back Trey Edmunds, who injured his ribs against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 9 and fullback Roosevelt Nix, who re-aggravated a knee injury against the Colts.

Those absences left just Jaylen Samuels and Brooks-James as healthy backs on the roster.

Hall spent time with the Cleveland Browns, Cincinnati Bengals and Green Bay Packers this preseason before catching on with the Steelers.