Steelers keep playing musical running backs

When the Steelers released linebacker Sutton Smith a day after signing him to their practice squad in order to bring running back Darrin Hall back, it raised some eyebrows.

Why sign Smith only to release him the next day?

But when you've only got two healthy running backs on your entire roster -- both on the active roster and practice squad -- every available body counts.

For the past decade, the running back position has been devalued by the NFL, with just 15 being selected in the first round of the draft over that period.

It sounds good in theory -- at least until you don't have one.

The Steelers aren't in that position. They feel they have good running backs in starter James Conner and…