Steelers rule out Rico Dowdle (toe) for Week 4

Warren’s six targets combine with his 17 carries to give him his second consecutive game with more than 20 opportunities in the absence of Rico Dowdle, seeing all but two running back opportunities in the process. More impressive was the fact that he once again maintained elite efficiency on the ground through the additional touches, averaging 5.5 yards per attempt against a solid Browns run defense. The veteran back appears likely to revert to a strict timeshare with Dowdle expected back for Week 5 after the long week, bringing him back to the RB3 range for a meeting with the Colts.

It sounds like Warren is belongs on the RB1/2 border with Rico Dowdle (toe) sidelined again this week. The Steelers will try to control the line of scrimmage by frequently deploying TEs Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington, both in the run game and as receivers.

Dowdle did not practice this week and was ruled out for Thursday’s game against the Browns. Rapoport called him day-to-day. The mini-bye between today’s game and Pittsburgh’s Week 5 date with Indy at home should be enough rest to get Dowdle back on the field. Jaylen Warren will see almost the entirety of the backfield tonight before returning to committee duties once Dowdle is healthy.

Dowdle remains out with a toe injury he suffered in Week 2. Opening a short week with back-to-back DNPs indicates he will sit out once again for Week 4 against the Browns. Jaylen Warren will be the workhorse for a Thursday night matchup.

Warren operated as an every-down back in Week 3 against the Bengals, running for 127 yards on 17 carries and catching three passes for 49 yards in a victory. DeFabo suggested Warren had established himself as the team’s clear lead back option against the Bengals with Rico Dowdle (toe) sidelined. “I’ve always had respect for him, playing against him, and then being his teammate now for a little more than a season,” Aaron Rodgers said of Warren. “He is one of the toughest guys I’ve ever played with, and I just can’t say enough about his energy and the way he runs the football and the way he cares about his teammates.” Warren’s pass game involvement spiked in Week 3, as he ran a route on 70 percent of Pittsburgh’s drop backs. Dowdle, meanwhile, did not practice Monday ahead of the Steelers’ Thursday game against the Browns. Warren should remain in all lineups this week.

Dowdle was unable to play in the team’s Week 3 win over the Bengals with the same issue and will likely need to get back on the practice field to have a chance to suit up on Thursday Night Football against the Browns in Week 4. Expect Jaylen Warren to see another game of workhorse usage after a 90 percent snap rate on Sunday, should Dowdle be unable to go. Warren would be a volume-based RB1 in a middling matchup in Dowdle’s absence.

Warren ripped off a 30-yard reception on the Steelers’ first play of the game and was reliable throughout while serving as the Steelers’ primary back. Warren gained 20 or more yards on three plays and would have found the end zone on a 26-yard run in the fourth quarter if not for tripping and falling in the open field. This was exactly the kind of performance fantasy managers were hoping for with Rico Dowdle (toe) sidelined, as Warren was on the field for 53 of 59 offensive snaps for Steelers RBs. The Steelers play the Browns on Thursday in Week 4; if Dowdle can’t heal up in time to play on the short week, Warren would again be a volume-based RB2 with plenty of upside.

With Rico Dowdle (toe) out and Eli Heidenreich being a healthy scratch, Warren will split backfield touches with Travis Homer. Warren should be in for a big workload, making him a safe RB2 with upside against the Bengals.

Warren was limited in practice throughout the week because of the shoulder issue. The team listed him as questionable on Friday, though he always looked more likely than not to suit up. He will see the bulk of the backfield touches with Rico Dowdle (toe) out for Week 3, putting him in the RB2 mix.

Warren got in three limited practices this week and, given Rico Dowdle was already ruled out, feels likely to be active on Sunday. Warren will get a workload boost if he can handle it. Eli Heidenreich, Pittsburgh’s seventh-round pick, is next on the depth chart behind Warren with Dowdle out.