Toussaint and Todman will be the backs behind the NFL’s most explosive offense. (Getty)
For the second year in a row, the Steelers are in a playoff pickle at running back. Last year, an injury to Le’Veon Bell left the Steelers short-handed at the position, forcing Josh Harris and Ben Tate to unsuccessfully carry the load. This year the Steelers signed some insurance, bringing DeAngelo Williams aboard in case Bell was unavailable.
Now they’re both out.
After an foot injury in the season finale, DeAngelo Williams will be in a walking boot for Pittsburgh’s Wild Card matchup in Cincinnati. Instead of signing someone late, coach Mike Tomlin is relying on his depth to carry the team in the postseason. Unheralded backs Fitzgerald Toussaint and Jordan Todman will line up for Pittsburgh, who haven’t won a playoff game since 2010.
Here’s what you need to know about Toussaint and Todman:
1. Toussaint Played Ahead of Thomas Rawls at Michigan
Toussaint was the workhorse back through the Brady Hoke era at Michigan. (Getty)
Toussaint attended Liberty High School, and grew up in a rough area in North Youngstown, Ohio. Toussaint came from a poor area known for violence. His father, also named Fitzgerald Toussaint, was arrested at one of his son’s scrimmages after he stabbed his ex-wife’s boyfriend.
His high school success propelled him to Michigan, where he gained 2,290 yards in four seasons. There he was ahead of Thomas Rawls on the depth chart, who had a breakout year for the Seahawks before breaking his ankle.
Toussaint also had his setbacks at Michigan. In a 2013 game against Iowa, broke his left tibia and fibula in the first quarter. It hurt Toussaint’s NFL chances, and the back went undrafted in 2014. He ended up on the Ravens for his rookie season, after rushing for over 100 yards in the preseason finale. But he was cut before the 2015 season, ending up on the Steelers practice squad for most of the year.
2. Todman Was Cut by the Panthers & Signed by Pittsburgh the Next Day
Todman got the bulk of his NFL experience in Jacksonville, where he was the change-of-pace back for three years. (Getty)
Toussaint is a bit of an unkown in the NFL, but Todman is not. He’s spent the last three seasons with the Jacksonville offense, and has 155 career touches in the NFL.
Originally a sixth-round pick out of UConn, Todman was drafted by the Chargers but was cut early in his rookie season. He spent one season on the Vikings practice squad before ending up in Jacksonville. There Todman finally got some action, sharing time first with MJD and then Denard Robinson. Todman finished with 450 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns over three seasons in Jacksonville, and also caught 40 passes for two more touchdowns.
Todman joined the Carolina Panthers in the preseason, but a crowded depth chart left him cut on the day 53-man rosters were released. The Steelers scooped him up the next day, and Todman was active for the first 11 games this season.
3. The Pair Combined For Only 22 Touches This Season
Toussaint started the season on the practice squad after being cut by the Ravens. (Getty)
Toussaint and Todman have NFL experience, but most of it is on the sidelines. Le’Veon Bell is the Steelers lead back, but played in just six games before tearing his ACL. DeAngelo Williams was tremendous in his absence, perfectly filling the void for most of the season. Williams carried the ball 200 times in 2015, the fourth-highest toal of his 10 year NFL career.
With Williams on the sidelines, it’s up to Toussaint and Todman to get the job done against the Bengals. Cincinnati has the league’s seventh-best rushing defense, allowing just 92.3 yards per game. Pittsburgh rushed for 200 yards combined in their two previous meetings with the Bengals this season.
4. Toussaint Will be the Lead Back, But Todman is a More Versatile Option
Mike Tomlin stated that Toussaint will be the lead back Saturday against the Bengals. (Getty)
After Williams was ruled out for Saturday, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin offered positive words for Toussaint.
“He is a diligent worker,” said Coach Mike Tomlin of Toussaint. “He brings a business-like approach. I think he’s one of those guys that everybody is excited about seeing play. They are excited about seeing him get an opportunity, because he’s a guy that doesn’t say much. He’s extremely low maintenance. He really works hard to put himself in position to be a positive asset or contributor to us when given the opportunity.”
Toussaint, who has worked his way from practice squad to starting lineup this season, told reporters about his aggressive approach to Cincinnati.
“I just want to prepare to hunt,” he said earlier this week. “I think that is going to be the key to this game.”
Toussaint will be the starter, but the Bengals shouldn’t sleep on Todman. the former Jaguar is a factor both off tackle and on the outside, and is a proven entity in the receiving game. However, Toussaint has shown better ability as a blocker this season, giving him the edge in the Steelers’ vertical offense.
5. It’s Unclear if DeAngelo Williams Will Return Should Pittsburgh Advance
Should the Steelers advance next week, they will be Denver bound. They defeated the Broncos earlier this seaosn, but it will be their first trip to Sports Authority Field, and their first against Peyton Manning. Williams had just 14 carries for 26 yards against the Broncos, who have been the league’s best overall defense all season long.
After the initial foot injury, Williams was ruled as day-to-day. But he did not practice at all this week, and was ruled out after the final practice. The plan is that if the Steelers advance to play Denver, Williams will be healthy enough to practice and therefore could play next week.
