Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren is quietly becoming one of the best running backs in the NFL. The league nationally may not be taking notice, but Warren is receiving high praise in Pittsburgh from every facet of the game.
The 5-foot-8 running back has been the Steelers’ most impressive offensive weapon over the past three weeks, combining for 490 scrimmage yards. He’s taken advantage of and made the most of the opportunity presented to him with Rico Dowdle missing time due to a toe
injury. Dowdle is progressing well and is expected back this week. What does it mean for Warren?
At his weekly press conference on Monday, Mike McCarthy was asked how the Steelers will utilize the “one-two punch” of Warren and Dowdle moving forward. McCarthy doesn’t necessarily view the duo as a “one-two punch” and shared his confidence level in Warren.
“Jaylen’s our featured player right now,” McCarthy said. “Let’s make sure we all recognize that. He’s hot, he’s playing great football for us.”
On the second possession against Indianapolis on Sunday, Warren took a quick pass 80 yards to the end zone and was untouched past the 50-yard line. He rushed for 101 yards in the 34-22 victory over the Colts and scored Pittsburgh’s first touchdown on the ground with a 50-yard scamper to the end zone halfway through the third quarter. Warren is on pace for over 2,100 scrimmage yards this season.
“It’s important for us as an offense, coaches and players alike, to continue to put him in position to make plays,” McCarthy said. “That won’t change.”
Warren recorded a season-high 21 touches after 20 in each of the previous two weeks.
The head coach noted the Steelers had the ball offensively for 54 official plays and would like to be in the high 60s and 70s. McCarthy said Dowdle looked good Friday and Saturday and is close to returning on Sundays.
He didn’t want to put a strict number of carries or touches on Warren’s plate and commit to a particular path forward.
“I’m not going to pick at numbers; it depends on the game. Who you’re playing and what’s going on in the game,” McCarthy said. “At the end of the day, we want to win the game, so let’s just start there. Whatever it takes to win the game, that will be our approach this week.”
Warren owns 410 yards rushing and 230 yards receiving through the first five games of the season. He has played at least 87% of the snaps over the last three weeks in Dowdle’s absence.
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