Najeh Davenport (Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

With Rashard Mendenhall out for the year and Willie Parker still nursing an injury, Pittsburgh knew it needed running back depth. The moves it made Wednesday reflected it.

The Steelers signed veteran running backs Najeh Davenport and Gary Russell to one-year contracts.

Both players know Pittsburgh’s offense. Davenport spent the 2006-07 seasons with the Steelers, rushing for 763 yards and seven touchdowns on 175 carries; he also caught 33 passes for 394 yards and three scores. He was released in June, then re-signed today.

Russell made Pittsburgh’s roster last season as an undrafted free agent. He was released Sept. 20, signed to the practice squad the next day and promoted again Wednesday.

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