Frank

Summers

A practice-squad warrior, Summers spent 2011 in San Diego, but never made it onto the active roster. He hasn’t played a snap since 2009.

Summers, a fifth-round pick of the Steelers in 2009, hasn’t played a snap since his rookie season. He’ll battle for a roster spot.

“Frank the Tank” Summers has seen some short-yardage action recently, so his absence can’t hurt the fantasy causes of C.J. Spiller and Fred Jackson. There are no surprises otherwise among Buffalo’s Week 14 inactives.

We’ll see. Summers packs punch at 5'9/241 with legit 4.55 wheels, but he has to make the team first. There’s little room behind Willie Parker, Rashard Mendenhall, and Mewelde Moore, and Summers isn’t much of a lead blocker.

At 5'9/241, Summers has the build of a fullback, but the speed and blocking ability of a running back. Though he has short-yardage potential, he’ll be pressed for a roster spot behind Willie Parker, Rashard Mendenhall and Mewelde Moore.

The veteran, who started in last year’s Super Bowl, was one of the Steelers’ final cuts leading up to the season in favor of rookie Frank Summers. Pittsburgh’s running game got going in Week 3, but Summers has fallen out of favor and was inactive Sunday.

Summers came down with a back injury, and the Steelers could ill afford to wait on him with David Johnson also out with a high ankle sprain. The fifth-rounder never did emerge as a goal-line force and will stay at fullback in 2010.

The move clears a roster spot for C.J. Spiller, who is coming off injured reserve/designated to return. A Bill each of the past two seasons, Summers had played 129 snaps across 10 games in 2014. The Bills will likely roll with Anthony Dixon if they need a fullback.

Summers’ rookie season was cut short when he underwent back surgery early in the year. With Willie Parker gone and Mewelede Moore declining, Summers has a shot to fulfill his potential as a short-yardage/goal-line back. His role will depend on who the Steelers add to their backfield in the draft and/or free agency.

The Steelers still don’t have a true fullback on the roster, as Summers is more of a short-yardage back than a true blocker. With sixth-round pick Jonathan Dwyer now in the mix, Summers’ best chance for playing time is probably at fullback. The Steelers could also use tight ends Sean McHugh or David Johnson as a lead blocker.