Fowler: Steelers to run more, use 2 tight end sets

Freiermuth found the end zone late in the fourth quarter for his second touchdown of the season, tying fellow tight end Darnell Washington for fourth on the team with five targets. Washington managed to corral just two of his five targets but eclipsed the yardage total of Freiermuth with 27 yards while also adding a touchdown of his own. Both tight ends appear unlikely to contribute viable counting stats considering neither has seen more than five targets in a game during the first month of play.

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.

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 did not practice once this week before being ruled out for Thursday’s game against the Browns. The mini-bye ahead of Week 5 may help him get back on the field, but his status for next week’s contest is very much up in the air. Jaylen Warren will see the bulk of the backfield work versus Cleveland. he ran 17 times and caught three passes in Week 3. With an elite workload versus a middling Cleveland defense, Warren is a high-end RB2 this week.

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.

No, Washington can’t be trusted in fantasy, but he sure is fun when he gets a full head of steam. Washington caught a season-high three passes in Sunday’s win over the Bengals and led the Steelers in receiving yards, thanks largely to the 47-yard play he made in the fourth quarter. A true man among boys with the ball in his hands, Washington rumbled through and past multiple defenders on his way to the big gain. While he’s always good for an exciting play or two, Washington can be left on waivers for now.

Aaron Rodgers narrowly missed Freiermuth on a 20-plus-yard throw in the third quarter that could have been a touchdown if they had connected. Freiermuth has been targeted 14 times through the first three weeks but has just one meaningful fantasy line (5-45-1) thus far. Fantasy managers can find better options than Muth in Week 4’s game against the Browns.

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.