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    Jaylen Warren totals 77 yards in Week 2 loss

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    PIT Running Back #30
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    Jaylen Warren rushed 11 times for 43 yards in the Steelers’ Week 2 loss to the Patriots, adding two receptions for 34 yards.

    Warren was the second back to enter the game behind Rico Dowdle, but he operated as the lead back for much of the day with Dowdle dealing with a toe injury. He averaged just under four yards per carry as his biggest play came on a 26-yard reception. With Aaron Rodgers’ inability to consistently push the ball downfield, Warren is the primary checkdown guy to benefit, seeing four targets in Week 2 after totaling six targets in Week 1. He dominated snaps when Dowdle was out and will rank as a fantasy RB2 should Dowdle miss time. Otherwise, Warren is an RB3 for Week 3 against the Bengals.
Vikings can be 'pass-heavy' with Murray vs. Bucs
Patrick Daugherty and Denny Carter lay out their expectations for Kyler Murray's return to the Vikings offense and what his fantasy outlook is against the Buccaneers' struggling defense.

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  • PIT Running Back #30
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    Warren also fumbled in this one, which may have contributed to why he played just 25 of the team’s 67 snaps while Rico Dowdle played 39. Dowdle also played on more passing snaps than Warren, but a lot of that is due to his ability as a blocker. Warren outcarried Dowdle, saw more targets, and also looked more explosive, but it was Dowdle who was on the field when the Steelers were trying to run out the clock on the final drive. This seems like it may be a frustrating committee to figure out moving forward.
  • PIT Running Back #30
    Warren played 3-of-3 snaps on the first drive. Steelers RB Rico Dowdle played 4-of-4 snaps on the second. The two backs then rotated on the third. Dowdle rushed five times for 18 yards, adding one reception for two yards. This is about what we expected, though a recent report did indicate that Dowdle would be the Steelers’ “workhorse.” For now, treat both players as reliable FLEX starters with RB2 upside in what should be a split backfield, at least early on.
  • PIT Running Back #13
    Recent reporting from ESPN suggests the Steelers will employ a run-heavy approach this season. Vacchiano agrees and adds that Steelers coach Mike McCarthy believes Dowdle could help the team produce a strong running game this season. That said, Vacchiano also said that Dowdle and RB Jaylen Warren could form “a potent tandem,” so Vacchiano may only be indicating that Dowdle will be the team’s primary rusher while Warren changes the pace and plays on passing downs. Both players sit in the fringe RB2/FLEX barrel right now.
  • PIT Running Back #13
    There’s been a strain of thought that Mike McCarthy and Aaron Rodgers would go back to slinging it like it is 2016 again, but Solak left Steelers training camp believing things would mostly stay as they were last year. That’s good news for Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle, though neither of them profile as an easy-to-trust option while they split time.
  • PIT Running Back #30
    Rico Dowdle is listed as the RB2. We wouldn’t read into this too much, but it does align with the approach fantasy managers have been taking to this backfield. Warren currently comes off the board at RB27 while Dowdle sits at RB32. With a larger role through the air also in his future, Warren continues to looks like a safe bet for FLEX-worthy fantasy numbers in 2026.
  • PIT Running Back
    DeFabo wonders whether Steelers coach Mike McCarthy will be “willing to open up the playbook for Heidenreich and how does the rookie fare in pass protection?” If McCarthy is willing to design plays for Heidenreich, and the youngster can be trusted to keep QB Aaron Rodgers safe from oncoming pass rushers, it is possible he earns a spot on the game-day roster. If not, he may need to spend 2026 refining his skill set while RB Jaylen Warren works on becoming Rodgers’ “new check-down favorite.” That said, DeFabo adds that “an injury or a surprising training camp performance could change things positively for Heidenreich. Keep an eye on him, but temper expectations.
  • PIT Running Back #30
    The Steelers on Monday signed Rico Dowdle, formerly of the Panthers, to a two-year deal worth $12.25 million, as Gainwell left Pittsburgh in favor of Tampa. DeFabo said the new-look Pittsburgh offense could see Warren occupy last year’s Gainwell role (Gainwell was among the league leaders in running back targets and receptions). Warren, DeFabo said, “has been at his best in a third-down role and out of the shotgun; Warren is now likely to assume the pass-catching role that Gainwell occupied last year. Given the increased opportunities in this area, Warren may produce results similar to those of Gainwell, though he’s not as refined as a route runner.” Such a scenario would make Warren far more valuable than Dowdle in PPR formats this season, though Dowdle could be a flex option if he gets first crack at goal line carries and functions as the team’s primary ball carrier.
  • CAR Running Back #5
    Dowdle will presumably form a one-two punch with incumbent starter Jaylen Warren in Pittsburgh after notching consecutive 1,000-yard seasons for the Cowboys and Panthers. It also signals a level of discomfort with former third-round pick Kaleb Johnson, who played sparingly during his rookie season following multiple special teams miscues. The financials of the contract were not immediately made available. Although unlikely to match the 235 carries he averaged the previous two seasons, Dowdle’s size and frame keep his touchdown equity high on the run-first Steelers.
  • PIT Running Back #30
    The scrappy former change of pace back was thrust into a featured role this season after rookie Kaleb Johnson failed to pan out, ending the regular season with 958 yards and six touchdowns on 211 carries while adding 333 yards and two touchdowns on 40 receptions. The four-year veteran has missed only four games in his career and recently signed a two-year contract extension tying him to the team through the 2027 season, making it likely we see him hold fantasy value through the offseason as the likely starter in the backfield next year. That said, quarterback Aaron Rodgers appears likely to retire following his 21st season and head coach Mike Tomlin could be on the hot seat this offseason after seven straight playoff losses, meaning it could be an entirely new situation for Warren in the coming year.
  • PIT Running Back #30
    Warren should be good to go for the Steelers’ Wild Card Round game against the Texans on Monday. The Texans field a top-tier defense, so having the backfield at full strength is helpful. Warren has been splitting work with RB Kenneth Gainwell and can be safely expected to continue doing so in the playoffs.

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    Lions coach Dan Campbell said S Brian Branch (Achilles) “has a chance” to resume practicing sooner than S Kerby Joseph (knee), “but it won’t be this week.”

    Campbell spoke in a dejected tone when asked about the Lions’ safety duo returning to practice, particularly when discussing Joseph’s outlook. Campbell said Joseph did not suffer a setback, but stopped short of fully explaining the situation. It sounds like Joseph’s recovery stalled. The training staff was focused on strengthening Joseph’s knee, “but there was a little time there where we weren’t able to do everything we needed to do.” The Lions will not ask Joseph to play until he gets his knee as strong as it can possibly be, “and he feels comfortable.” Branch could return to practice in the coming weeks, but at this point, Joseph’s career status seems like it might be up in the air.
  • NYG Quarterback #19
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    FOX Sports’ Ralph Vacchiano believes the Giants’ “best bet is to commit all their first-team reps” to backup QB Jameis Winston rather than trading for a potential fill-in starter.

    Vacchiano explores myriad trade options that the Giants could explore in a lengthy article, but ultimately determines that rolling with Winston, while QB Jaxson Dart (knee) is sidelined, is the team’s best course of action. According to Vacchiano, the Giants viewed Winston “as a solid veteran who was smart and talented enough to get them through a short stretch if Dart went down” when they signed him to a two-year, $13 million contract extension two weeks ago. “Their faith gets shakier when it’s a long-term proposition they were hoping to avoid,” but alas, this appears to be the situation the team is currently facing. If Winston can return to something resembling his 2019 Buccaneers form, when he posted a 5,109/33/30 passing stat line en route to an overall QB3 finish, he could facilitate usable outings for Giants pass catchers. Betting on that exact outcome is unwise, but Winston could be a QB1 streamer in the right situation.
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    NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said to “expect” Brock Bowers (knee) to play in Week 3 against the Saints.

    Rapoport wrote that “there is a good chance” Bowers returns this week as the caption for his NFL Network segment. He used stronger language in the actual segment, telling viewers to “expect” Bowers to be on the field when the Raiders travel to New Orleans for a date with the Saints this week. The Raiders’ top pass catcher should be treated as an elite TE1 upon his return.
  • KC Running Back #10
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    Chiefs coach Andy Reid said RB Emmett Johnson “will continue to get more snaps.”

    Johnson has turned 14 touches into 103 scrimmage yards thus far. Evidently pleased with his fifth-round rookie, Reid wants to keep “allowing Emmett to grow,” in turn taking “a little bit of load off” starting RB Kenneth Walker. Reid notes that Walker wants the ball on every play and is not asking for a lighter workload, but Reid is seeking “a nice balance with those two in there,” which “keeps them even more fresh as the season goes on.” Walker, of course, remains an elite RB1. Johnson, however, should be rostered in all 12-team leagues as a high-upside bench stash that could return standalone value before long.
  • SEA Quarterback #14
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    NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that Seahawks QB Sam Darnold (glute) “has a chance” to play in Week 3 against the Commanders.

    To be clear, Rapoport’s tone was controlled and cautionary here. Darnold can only be considered questionable, at best. The Seahawks’ quarterback “is healing faster than anyone had imagined,” but Rapoport adds that the team wants to be “cautious” with him. Backup QB Drew Lock should probably be viewed as the presumptive Week 3 starter at this time, but it sounds like Darnold can reasonably be expected to play in Week 4 at the latest.
  • SF Wide Receiver #18
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    49ers signed WR Brandin Cooks, formerly of the Bills.

    According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Cooks is signing with the 49ers’ practice squad initially “to get up to speed for games.” Cooks, 32, posted a 24/279/0 receiving line in the regular season last year, before chipping in five catches for 78 yards in two playoff games. He is perhaps unlikely to be fantasy-relevant right away, but there is a real chance he could work his way into the 49ers’ wide receiver rotation, given their influx of injuries at the position.
  • FA Linebacker #35
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    Lions released LB Joe Bachie.

    Bachie logged 157 defensive snaps and 260 special teams snaps with the Titans last season. He has not played at all defensively for Detroit, but logged 32 special teams snaps. He could return via the practice squad.
  • GB Wide Receiver #11
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    Packers coach Matt LaFleur said “it’s way too early” to determine whether WR Jayden Reed (neck) resumes playing this season.

    Reports have varied as to whether Reed suffered a neck injury or a back injury. Today, the Packers’ head coach clarified that Reed indeed suffered a neck injury. According to ESPN’s Rob Demovsky, Reed is back in Green Bay and is going through a series of tests. Reed is not practicing right now, and it sounds like it could be quite a while before that changes. Hopefully, he can resume playing next year at the very latest.
  • NYJ Tight End #85
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    NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that Jets TE Mason Taylor (thumb) is considered week-to-week.

    Taylor suffered a thumb injury in Week 2 against the Packers, which will seemingly sideline him for Week 3 and potentially longer. Taylor currently leads Jets tight ends with 78 offensive snaps. Losing for any amount of time elevates rookie TE Kenyon Sadiq to a more prominent role. Sadiq is worth adding in 12-team leagues at this time.
  • GB Offensive Lineman
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    Packers OL Anthony Belton (elbow) was limited in Tuesday’s practice.

    Belton is Green Bay’s new starting right tackle, in theory, with Zach Bako-Bewele done for the season. Not ideal for him to be popping up on the injury report on Tuesday ahead of a TNF clash with the Falcons. We’ll see where this goes; midweek additions are always tricky to figure out the day of, but the Packers offensive line continues to be beset with injuries.