Steelers Release former West Virginia RB Wendell Smallwood

The Steelers have released former West Virginia running back Wendell Smallwood, the team announced Saturday.

Smallwood signed with the Steelers just before the start of training camp on July 28. The fifth-year pro was unable to earn a roster spot working behind James Conner, Jaylen Samuels and Benny Snell, ultimately losing out to fourth-round rookie Anthony McFarland, Jr.

He spent 2019 with the Washington Redskins, rushing for 81 yards on 22 carries and also catching nine passes for 64 yards. Before his time in Washington, Smallwood spent three seasons in Philadelphia after being drafted by the Eagles in the fifth round of the 2016 NFL Draft. He played in 37 games for Philadelphia, making nine starts and rushed for a combined 840 yards on 211 carries and scored eight total touchdowns.

Smallwood was on Philadelphia’s Super Bowl LII championship team after the 2017 season, but did not play in the game.

In three seasons at West Virginia, Smallwood played in 38 games and rushed for 2,462 yards and 12 touchdowns on 425 carries. He had a breakout season as a junior in 2015, when he rushed for 1,519 yards and averaged 6.4 yards per carry.

Smallwood is the 11th player to be released by the Steelers since the end of training camp on Friday, joining cornerback Trajan Bandy, defensive end Henry Mondeaux, defensive tackle Cavon Walker, outside linebacker Tuzar Skipper, punter Corliss Waitman, quarterback Paxton Lynch, running backs Trey Edmunds and Kerrith Whyte, Jr., tight end Kyle Markway and wide receiver Ryan Switzer.