Steelers Nation has been looking forward to Le’Veon Bell’s return from suspension. Nonetheless a couple of players in the locker room have been dreading this day because it meant might cost them their jobs.
- No one was sweating more than running back Dri Archer and fullback Roosevelt Nix.
Steelers release Tyler Murphy to make room for L Bell.
— Gerry Dulac (@gerrydulac) September 23, 2015
However, the headline “Steelers cut Tyler Murphy” reveals that The Truk has visited another area on the Steelers depth chart. The Steelers decision to cut Tyler Murphy isn’t a surprise, but it does come two weeks earlier than anticipated.
Most expected the Steelers to cut Tyler Murphy when Martavis Bryant ends his suspension, but the Steelers decision to part ways with him now leaves Ben Roethlisberger just four targets at the wide receiver position Antonio Brown, Markus Wheaton, Darrius Heyward-Bey, and rookie Sammie Coates, who has yet to dress.
Tyler Murphy played quarterback at Boston College, and got extended snaps at quarterback during the Steelers 2015 training camp as the Steelers looked for him and others to mount a challenge to Landry Jones. Ultimately, Landry Jones secured a roster spot with improved play in the preseason, and Murphy continued his transition to wide receiver. If he clears waivers, he could return to the Steelers practice squad.
- Dri Archer’s stay of execution might prove to be short lived however.
.@gerrydulac says the Steelers might look to trade Dri Archer for a 2016 draft pick. http://t.co/oUER8lfDpM
— Post-Gazette Sports (@PGSportsNow) September 23, 2015
The Pittsburgh Post Gazette’s Ed Bouchette suggested that Bell’s return had put Dri Archer could be on the chopping block. And Post Gazette reporter Gerry Dulac indicates that the Steelers were trying to trade Archer. Although Archer is a 2014 third round pick, he has failed to carve a role for himself on the team, despite having a golden opportunity to do so thanks to the suspensions of Bell and Martavis Bryant.
- In two games this season, Archer has not gotten a carry or a catch, nor has he been targeted.
Archer’s lone stat from 2015 is his single kick off return for 22 yards. That’s not a bad return and better than the 17.9 yard average he saw on kickoff returns in 2014, but hardly the type of production expected of a third round pick.
- But for now, Archer dodged a visit from the Turk, as did Roosevelt Nix.
Nix is an undrafted rookie free agent who has made the transition from college defensive lineman to full back. Nix has yet to see the field on the office with the Steelers fullback duties being taken by Will Johnson, but Nix has played well on special teams. Mike Tomlin spoke highly of nix during Steelers training camp, and appears eager to give the rookie more NFL game experience.
As Dri Archer can attest, Nix would be wise to do all he can to take advantage of his opportunities.
