Jaylen Warren (shoulder) limited in Wed. practice

Per Penn Live’s Nick Farabaugh, Dowdle was wearing a boot on his left foot today. He suffered the toe injury in Week 2 and was initially considered day-to-day. Neither the boot nor the DNP is a good sign for his Week 3 availability. Jaylen Warren would see the bulk of the backfield touches if Dowdle misses time.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.