Chiefs HC Andy Reid evaluates Carson Steele's rookie season ahead of major opportunity in Week 18 vs. Broncos
With the starters sitting for the Kansas City Chiefs' final regular season game, some other players may get an even greater opportunity against the Denver Broncos. And one of them is rookie Carson Steele. A to Z Sports' Charles Goldman provided some context on why fans might see a lot more of Steele this week. […]
With the starters sitting for the Kansas City Chiefs' final regular season game, some other players may get an even greater opportunity against the Denver Broncos.
And one of them is rookie Carson Steele.
A to Z Sports' Charles Goldman provided some context on why fans might see a lot more of Steele this week.
"With RB Isiah Pacheco dealing with a rib injury, expect the Chiefs to proceed cautiously with their backup RBs Kareem Hunt and Samaje Perine in Week 18 against the Broncos. Hunt and Perine could see limited snaps, while Steele is expected to get the start for the team. The rookie should get the vast majority of the reps working out of the backfield. That is unless, of course, the team goes to a two-back look that would require him to play the fullback role," Goldman wrote.
So far this season, Steele has appeared in 16 games with 48 carries and 158 rushing yards along with five receptions for 24 receiving yards. And on Wednesday, head coach Andy Reid detailed what he's seen from the rookie throughout the season.
“Yeah, Carson (Steele) has done a nice job. We’ve asked him to play fullback and special teams, two of the things that he didn’t do, and he’s really developed into a pretty good fullback in there," Reid said. "At the same time, he can carry the ball, we know that. He started the season off as our running back and toting the load there in a couple of those games, so, that’s a plus to have.”
Steele was an undrafted free agent out of UCLA, but clearly made an impression throughout training camp. His efforts earned him a spot on the Chiefs 53-man roster.
He has had a solid rookie season, but this is a true chance for him to end things with a bang.
