The Cincinnati Bengals have two reasons to keep close track of Jaylen Warren when they battle the Pittsburgh Steelers.
He can hurt a defense on the ground. But he can do it as a receiver as well.
As Michael Hull detailed for Bengals.com, Warren averages 5.9 yards per carry, the NFL's best mark among backs with at least 50 attempts. His 294 receiving yards rank second among running backs.
Those stats make him a central concern for Cincinnati's defense heading into the rematch.
Containing Warren means more than meeting him at the line of scrimmage. The Bengals must account for him when he releases into a route, then finish tackles before a short completion becomes a bigger gain.
So, it's a bit of a balancing act. Sending extra defenders toward the
run can leave fewer players available to cover. Dropping into coverage, however, can give Warren room to work underneath.
Cincinnati will need sound decisions from its linebackers and defensive backs, especially when they have to choose between pursuing the quarterback and staying with the back.
Warren's production makes the assignment obvious, that the Bengals can't treat him as a secondary worry when Pittsburgh throws.
Limiting his rushing lanes would be a helpful start. And keeping him from snagging easy receiving yards matters just as much.
This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: Bengals face wide-ranging ability of Steelers RB Jaylen Warren
