Steelers Promote Harvard Graduate RB to Active Roster

The Pittsburgh Steelers have promoted running back Aaron Shampklin from the practice squad to the active roster, the team announced on Wednesday morning.

Shampkin was elevated for this past Sunday’s Week 4 game against the Indianapolis Colts with running back Jaylen Warren out due to a knee injury. Warren could return this week but his status is up in the air. Running back Cordarrelle Patterson also suffered an ankle injury in Sunday’s game and did not return. His status is uncertain, as well.

Shampkin was the No. 2 running back behind Najee Harris in the second half, recording one carry for five yards. The Steelers chose to elevate Shampklin over veteran running back Jonathan Ward, who is also on the practice squad.

A 24-year-old Harvard alum, Shampklin made his NFL debut on Sunday. The Paramount, California native first signed with the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2022 and has spent time with the Indianapolis Colts, Los Angeles Chargers and Houston Gamblers of the USFL before catching on with the Steelers in January.

“Last year, being in the spring league with the Gamblers, it was good being on the field getting games reps and getting back comfortable,” Shampklin said in the spring. “I had come off an injury from the year before so it was good to actually play in a game again but you can’t beat being in an NFL environment. You got top of the line coaches. You are getting the best criticism compared to what you might get in the spring league.”

In three preseason games for the Steelers this season, Shampklin ran 13 times for 40 yards and caught three passes for three yards. After being released in the final round of cuts in late August, Shampklin did not make the team’s initial practice squad, but he was re-signed to the practice squad on Sept. 4 after Boston Scott suffered an injury.