No Bell, no matter
PITTSBURGH – When Neil Young wrote “Long May You Run” in 1976, it was reflection on his first car, a 1948 Buick Roadmaster hearse.
He just as easily could have been writing about Steelers running back DeAngelo Williams.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer turned 70, which is plenty old by rocker standards, Thursday.
Williams, 32, is not only over the hill by running back standards, he’s all the way on the backside of it.
But to Williams, age is just a number, and the running back is putting up plenty of those this season.
Williams made three starts for the Steelers this season. In those three starts, Williams gained 374 yards and scored five touchdowns.
He’s doing a good job picking up the slack for Le’Veon Bell.
Heading into their game Sunday at Heinz Field against Cleveland (2-7), the Steelers (5-4) rank fifth in the NFL in rushing, averaging 133.4 yards per game.
Even without Bell, who is out for the season after suffering a knee injury two weeks ago against Cincinnati, the Steelers offer a big challenge to the Browns. Cleveland ranks last in the NFL in run defense (147.6) and has allowed an NFL-worst 11 runs of 20 or more yards.
Pittsburgh leads the NFL with 13 such runs.
“I think the backs have done a nice job, no matter who is in there,” said Steelers guard David DeCastro. “And those happen as well because the receivers are blocking well downfield. Guys are staying on their blocks and the running backs are getting into the secondary.”
Bell breaking off long runs was not unexpected, but his nine carries of 20 or more yards was one more than he had when he led the NFC in rushing in 2014. And he did it in just six games after sitting out the first two weeks because of a suspension.
Williams, on the other hand, has been a big-play running back throughout his 10-year career. He has 62 runs of 20 or more yards in his career, including 15 in 2008 when he was a 1,500-yard rusher for the Carolina Panthers.
But he averaged a career-low 3.5 yards per carry in an injury-plagued 2014 season for the Panthers, who released him in a cost-cutting move in the offseason.
Pittsburgh signed him to do exactly what he’s now doing, replacing Bell.
In last week’s 38-35 win over Oakland, Williams had 225 total yards – 170 rushing, 55 receiving – on 29 touches. The heavy workload caused some soreness in his foot during the week, but he returned to practice Thursday after sitting out Wednesday.
The Steelers face a tough decision with Williams, who didn’t have 29 or more touches in a game since 2009. With Bell out, do they continue to use Williams heavily, or do they mix in backups Jordan Todman or Isaiah Pead?
It’s difficult to take Williams off the field after he breaks runs of 50 yards or more, as he did in each of the team’s last two games.
“We discuss it and talk about it,” said offensive coordinator Todd Haley. “Obviously when a guy is rolling like he was last week, you have to stay with the hot hand. That’s why the other guys are here at running back. Obviously, when we can get him rest, we will.”
Until then, long may he run, at least the Steelers hope that is the case.
“We like him as a runner. He hits the hole hard,” said center Cody Wallace. “He’s still got good speed. He’s had a lot of long runs this year. We all kind of joke with him, ‘Finish them off.’ But when a guy goes 50 or 60 yards, you can’t be too mad at him.”
Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger returned to practice on a limited basis Thursday. Roethlisberger, who said he still hopes to play against the Browns, suffered a sprained foot against Oakland and is unlikely to play. … Linebackers James Harrison (knee) and Ryan Shazier (knee) and safety Shamarko Thomas (knee) each missed a second consecutive day of practice Thursday for the Steelers. … In addition to Roethlisberger, wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey (knee) and linebacker Terence Garvin (knee) were limited. … Williams, fullback Will Johnson, right tackle Marcus Gilbert, Pead and nose tackle Steve McLendon all returned to practice Thursday after being out or limited Wednesday.