According to several media reports, the Pittsburgh Steelers have signed former Arizona Cardinals running back LaRod Stephens-Howling to a one-year deal on Friday.
Stephens-Howling visited with the Steelers earlier this month, but was not signed.
In his four seasons with the Cardinals, the Pittsburgh product rushed for 651 yards and five touchdowns on 182 carries. He also registered 534 more yards and three touchdowns on 56 receptions, and another 4,067 yards and three touchdowns on 163 kickoff returns.
The signing of Stephens-Howling is merely a depth move, in my opinion, and has absolutely no bearing on what will happen during the remaining rounds of the 2013 NFL draft. The Steelers only had three running backs under contract heading into the draft and they sorely needed bodies.
It will not hurt that Stephens-Howling can return kicks, and perhaps play on special teams, but in no way should he be considered a legitimate threat to be the Steelers starting running back in 2013.
