RB Toussaint won’t give up backup job without a battle
Fitz Toussaint came into training camp knowing he’d have to battle for the Steelers’ third-string running back spot.
With Le’Veon Bell and James Conner missing time early on, the backfield spotlight is on the 27-yearold Toussaint a little more.
Bell isn’t at camp and still hasn’t signed his oneyear franchise tender. Conner, the third-round draft pick out of Pitt, injured his shoulder over the weekend, though the ailment is considered minor.
Knile Davis is also part of the running back group, but Toussaint said he’s eager for the competition.
“I’m always feeling good about the chances,” Toussaint said of locking down that third-string spot.
Toussaint said he’s getting more sleep — at least 10 hours per night — and running and lifting more to improve conditioning.
“It’s always the same motto every year,” Toussaint said. “Go out there and lock in. I just have to stay disciplined, have to do everything I’m supposed to do and take the other guys with me. That’s what my position is being one of the older guys in the group. I have to show them the way.”
Toussaint’s two-year stint with the Steelers and familiarity with the offense might give him an edge over Davis, the 25-year-old who spent 2016 with the Kansas City Chiefs and Green Bay Packers. Toussaint has rushed for 100 yards on 32 carries with the Steelers and has yet to score a touchdown. He carried six times for 28 yards in the 28-7 Thanksgiving win against the Indianapolis Colts.
Linebacker Arthur Moats has noticed Toussaint, 5 feet 9 and 204 pounds, is looking a little more spry at camp.
“Ultimately, he’s an undersized guy, and it’s important that he looks fast and he wows people with his speed and makes guys miss,” Moats said. “He’s been doing that, and I feel like the more he does that, the better he’s going to be and ultimately the more success he’s going to have.”
Moats said moves in the open field is what Toussaint does best.
“He just wants to be great, and that’s what you want to be around,” Moats said. “You want to be around guys who want to be great because those are the guys that are ultimately going to help you win the championship.”