The Lions released Snell on Tuesday, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.
Snell spent most of the offseason as a free agent but joined the Lions in mid-August. However, he was unable to secure a spot on the team's 53-man roster. After spending the last four seasons as a backup running back in Pittsburgh, the 2019 fourth-rounder will need to seek out other opportunities ahead of the 2023 campaign.
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Lions' Benny Snell: Gets new opportunity
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Snell signed a contract with the Lions on Thursday.
Snell remained on the market all offseason, but he's finally found an opportunity in Detroit. The 25-year-old spent the first four seasons of his career in Pittsburgh, mostly working on special teams. However, he did see 20 carries and gained 90 yards and a touchdown in 17 games last season. In a corresponding move, the Lions placed Justin Jackson on the reserve/retired list.
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Steelers' Benny Snell: Limited to special teams in Week 18
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Snell played exclusively on special teams during the Steelers' 28-14 win over the Browns on Sunday.
The 24-year-old lost out on his role as the No. 2 running back to undrafted rookie Jaylen Warren in 2022, and Snell wasn't on the field for any offensive snaps over the final four weeks of the regular season. The 2019 fourth-rounder rushed 20 times for 90 yards while securing both of his targets for 17 yards this season. Snell is set to become an unrestricted free agent during the offseason, and it wouldn't be surprising to see him seek out another team since he's lost out on work in Pittsburgh over the last two years.
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Steelers' Benny Snell: Racks up 35 yards from scrimmage
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Snell rushed six times for 24 yards while securing his lone target for 11 yards during the Steelers' 19-16 win over Atlanta on Sunday.
Snell was limited by a knee injury during Thursday's practice session but was cleared to play in Week 13 after practicing fully Friday. He logged a season-high 62 rushing yards against the Colts last week since Pittsburgh's backfield was shorthanded, but he was less involved in Week 13 since both Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren were back to full health. While Snell was relatively efficient with his limited opportunities, he played just nine offensive snaps in the win and is unlikely to have a significant role in the team's offense as long as Harris and Warren remain healthy.
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Steelers' Benny Snell: Cleared for Week 13
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Snell doesn't have an injury designation ahead of Sunday's matchup against Atlanta, Chris Halicke of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.
Snell popped up on the injury report Thursday as a limited participant due to a knee injury, but he returned to full participation Friday and is cleared for Week 13. Najee Harris also doesn't carry an injury designation into Sunday's matchup despite an oblique injury that held him to just one limited practice, and Harris' top backup, Jaylen Warren (hamstring), is listed as questionable despite practicing in full throughout Week 13 prep. With Warren inactive and Harris forced out of Week 12, Snell logged season highs in rushing attempts (12) and rushing yards (62), but he figures to see a reduced role with at least one of the Steelers' top two backs available for Pittsburgh's matchup against Atlanta's porous run defense.
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Steelers' Benny Snell: Dealing with injury
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Snell (knee) was listed as a limited participant on the Steelers' injury report Thursday, per Mike DeFabo of The Athletic.
Snell appears to have picked up a knee issue at some point during practice, as he popped up on the Week 13 injury report for the first time Thursday. The third-string running back also logged a season-high 12 rushes for 62 yards and a touchdown with Jaylen Warren (hamstring) inactive and Najee Harris (abdomen) forced out during Monday's win versus the Colts. While the nature of this injury is still unclear, Snell will have one more practice to return to full participation, or else he could be in jeopardy of missing Sunday's contest versus Atlanta.
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Steelers' Benny Snell: Week 13 Adds (RB Preview)
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As long as Najee Harris is out, I would still expect double-digit carries for Snell and he could be the short-yardage back against a Falcons defense that has allowed 13 touchdowns to running backs this season.
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Steelers' Benny Snell: Week 13 Waiver Priority List
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There's the chance Snell could be the starting running back for the Steelers in Week 13 at Atlanta, which is why he's listed here. We don't know what's going to happen with either Najee Harris (abdomen) or Jaylen Warren (hamstring), but if both are out then Snell would be a low-end starter or flex option against the Falcons, who have allowed a running back to score at least 18 PPR points in six games in a row. In Week 12 at Indianapolis, Snell replaced Harris and had 12 carries for 62 yards and a touchdown, along with one catch for 6 yards on one target. Anthony McFarland (1 percent rostered) would share touches with Snell, and McFarland had six carries for 30 yards against the Colts, as well as two catches for 11 yards on two targets. Now, if Warren (44 percent) is healthy, he would be the preferred Steelers running back to add, and he scored 10 PPR points in each of his past two games in tandem with Harris. But Warren didn't practice at all leading up to Week 12, which is why Snell is considered the priority as of Tuesday morning. Snell is worth adding for up to 15 percent of your remaining FAB, but you can also add Warren for 5-10 percent and McFarland for 1 percent. Just keep in mind that Harris could also still play, although that seems unlikely based on his inability to finish Monday's game against the Colts.
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Steelers' Benny Snell: Scores TD after Harris injury
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Snell rushed 12 times for 62 yards and a touchdown in Monday's 24-17 win over the Colts. He also caught his only target for six yards.
Najee Harris was in and out of the game in the first half before being ruled out at halftime due to an abdominal injury. With Jaylen Warren (hamstring) inactive, Snell took over as the lead back after Harris' exit, with Anthony McFarland spelling him. Snell punched in the go-ahead touchdown from two yards out early in the fourth quarter, and he could maintain the lead role in Week 13 against the Falcons if Harris and Warren remain sidelined.
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Steelers' Benny Snell: Doesn't play on offense
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Snell didn't record any touches during the Steelers' 24-20 loss to the Jets on Sunday.
Snell played 69 percent of Pittsburgh's snaps on special teams Sunday, but he was held off the field offensively for a third consecutive week. The 2019 fourth-rounder is firmly behind Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren on the Steelers' depth chart.
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Steelers' Benny Snell: Limited to special-teams work again
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Snell didn't record any touches during the Steelers' 29-17 loss to the Browns on Thursday.
For a second consecutive week, Snell didn't play any offensive snaps and was limited to special-teams work. The 24-year-old hasn't yet recorded any touches this season and is unlikely to see much work behind Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren.
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Steelers' Benny Snell: Plays exclusively on special teams
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Snell didn't record any touches during the Steelers' 17-14 loss to New England on Sunday.
Snell was on the field for 73 percent of Pittsburgh's snaps on special teams Sunday, but he didn't play any offensive snaps during the narrow loss. The 2019 fourth-rounder hasn't yet touched the ball over the first two weeks of the regular season, and it seems unlikely that he'll see significant work in the Steelers' offense as long as Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren are healthy.
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Steelers' Benny Snell: Operates as clear No. 3 back
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Snell didn't record any touches during Sunday's 23-20 overtime win over the Bengals.
Snell was listed as the No. 3 running back on the Steelers' Week 1 depth chart, and his usage against Cincinnati was consistent with that layout. Although Najee Harris sustained a foot injury late in Sunday's matchup, Jaylen Warren was the running back who replaced him down the stretch, while Snell played exclusively on special teams during the season opener. Harris' injury isn't believed to be a serious concern, but his Week 2 status isn't yet clear. Even if Harris is limited or held out Sunday against the Patriots, Warren likely would see most of the work in the backfield, while Snell presumably would be forced to settle for a reserve role.
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Steelers' Benny Snell: Buried on Week 1 depth chart
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Snell is listed as the No. 3 running back on the Steelers' Week 1 depth chart, Teresa Varley of the team's official site reports.
Although Snell earned a spot on the 53-man roster over Anthony McFarland, undrafted rookie Jaylen Warren appears poised to begin the season as the team's top backup behind starting running back Najee Harris. Snell rushed just 36 times for 98 yards while securing two of four targets for 13 yards despite appearing in every game for the Steelers last season, and he's unlikely to have a significant fantasy role in 2022 as long as Harris remains healthy.
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Steelers' Benny Snell: Secures spot on final roster
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Snell is included on Pittsburgh's 53-man roster ahead of the 2022 regular season, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.
Snell was relatively quiet during the preseason after recovering from a knee injury, as he rushed eight times for 13 yards while securing two of three targets for 15 yards and a touchdown over two appearances. However, he was still able to fend off Anthony McFarland for a spot on the 53-man roster. Najee Harris will serve as Pittsburgh's clear lead back again, and it's possible that Snell has to settle for a No. 3 role in the Steelers' backfield after undrafted rookie Jaylen Warren earned a roster spot following a strong offseason.
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Steelers' Benny Snell: Still competing for roster spot
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Snell is still competing for a spot on the Steelers' 53-man roster ahead of Sunday's preseason finale against the Lions, Chris Adamski of TribLive.com reports.
Snell served as Pittsburgh's No. 2 running back last year, but he isn't guaranteed a roster spot as a backup running back in 2022. He sat out the preseason opener against Seattle due to a knee injury and was relatively quiet during the matchup against Jacksonville, rushing three times for minus-two yards while securing two of three targets for 15 yards and a touchdown. Snell's chances for a roster spot are improved by his abilities on special teams, but he'll still have to fend off Anthony McFarland and Jaylen Warren as the preseason draws to a close.
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Steelers' Benny Snell: Reaches end zone against Jaguars
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Snell rushed three times for minus-two yards while securing two of three targets for 15 yards and a touchdown during the Steelers' 16-15 preseason win over the Jaguars on Saturday.
Snell drew the start during Saturday's preseason matchup, and he caught an 11-yard touchdown pass late in the first half. The 2019 fourth-rounder split time in the backfield with Jaylen Warren during the first half. Warren recorded 27 yards from scrimmage on six touches, but Snell was one of two Steelers to reach the end zone during the narrow win. Snell and Warren will likely continue to compete to serve as Pittsburgh's No. 2 running back ahead of the regular season.
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Steelers' Benny Snell: Returns to practice
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Snell (knee) recently returned to practice, Chris Adamski of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.
Snell dealt with a right knee injury late last week and didn't appear in Saturday's preseason win over Seattle. However, he now appears to be healthy once again. The 2019 fourth-rounder will likely have a chance to garner some playing time during Saturday's preseason matchup against the Jaguars as he competes with Anthony McFarland and Jaylen Warren for a role behind Najee Harris in the Steelers' backfield.
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Steelers' Benny Snell: Not likely to suit up Saturday
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Snell (knee) is unlikely to play in Saturday's preseason game versus the Seahawks, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
Snell took a seat at Thursday's practice, where he was seen with a large wrap on his right knee. That was scaled down to a sleeve by Saturday, but he wasn't in uniform ahead of the contest. It's unclear if top running back Najee Harris will join Snell in street clothes, but if both sit out, the Steelers backfield will consist of Anthony McFarland, Jaylen Warren, Mataeo Durant and Master Teague.
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Steelers' Benny Snell: Not practicing Thursday
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Snell (knee) wasn't spotted at Thursday's practice, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
Pryor notes that Snell left Wednesday's session with a pretty big wrap on his right knee, so he's a candidate to sit out Saturday's preseason opener against the Seahawks. Snell is listed behind top option Najee Harris on the Steelers' posted unofficial depth chart, with Anthony McFarland, Jaylen Warren, Mataeo Durant and Master Teague also in the mix for backfield slotting.
