The Pittsburgh Steelers practiced with running back Jaden Shirden on Friday, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston. Shirden, who signed with the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent in May, was released on Aug. 11.

Steelers running back Jonathan Ward (hamstring) was unable to practice Thursday, so the Steelers may do their due diligence and add another running back to the roster. Mike Tomlin said he will not make a last-minute decision on the availability of Ward and other injured players for Saturday night’s preseason game against the Buffalo Bills.

Shirden, who is 5’8″ and weighs 195 pounds, ran the 40-yard dash in 4.45 seconds at the NFL Combine and was the best running back of all time with a 10-yard time of 1.51 seconds.

Shirden had a standout college career at Monmouth University, where he rushed for 3,697 yards and 26 touchdowns, including 14 touchdowns of at least 50 yards. He averaged a program-record 7.3 yards per attempt and ranks third in school history in rushing. In 33 career games, Shirden topped the 100-yard mark 17 times, including six 200-yard performances, a program record.

Shirden’s best season at Monmouth was 2022, when he ran for 1,700 yards and 13 touchdowns, averaging a whopping 8.4 yards per carry.

In 2023, Shirden rushed for 1,478 yards and 10 touchdowns. He was named the first recipient of the Walter Camp Foundation FCS Player of the Year after being unanimously voted All-American. The two-time CAA Offensive Player of the Year finished the 2023 regular season as the nation’s top runner for the second consecutive year. Shirden also finished third in voting for the Walter Payton Award each of the past two seasons.

In addition to the invitation to the NFL Combine, Shirden participated in the 99th annual East-West Shrine Bowl in Frisco, Texas.

In his NFL debut on August 9 against the New England Patriots, Shirden rushed for 12 yards on four attempts. Two days later, he was released by the Panthers.