Dowdle (toe) questionable after 3 limited sessions

Dowdle is expected to return to action this week after missing the past three games with a toe injury. Jaylen Warren has dominated the Steelers’ backfield in his absence and the results have been marvelous. He currently leads the team in rushing (410) and receiving yards (230). Even once healthy, Dowdle will likely struggle to force a 1B role in the backfield right away. He will be an RB4 for Week 6 if he’s given the green light.

“He’s produced, so it’s been heavy. It’d be great to get Rico back this week, too. ... Having him as a one-two punch was the vision of this offense, but Jaylen’s crushing it right now. He’s been awesome for us,” McCarthy continued. That’s a very telling “but.” Warren has to be regarded as the chair of a committee at this point rather than in a backfield split, and Dowdle probably doesn’t belong in the FLEX conversation coming off his injury until we see a good workload for him.

It was reported earlier in the day that Dowdle was unlikely to suit up due to his ongoing foot injury, so this doesn’t come as a major surprise. We could be looking at a big game for Jaylen Warren against an underperforming Colts defense. With Keenan Allen back for the Colts, the injury to Jamel Dean is a bit of a blow to this Pittsburgh secondary.

Dowdle got in three limited practices this week before being listed as questionable. The team doesn’t want to rush him back, only for him to aggravate the foot issue, so he’ll miss today’s game before likely returning in Week 6. Jaylen Warren will get one more week of workhorse duties, putting him in the RB1 mix once more.

Dowdle now has two limited practice sessions under his belt. He remains in the questionable column for the Steelers’ Week 5 game against the Colts, but a return from his multi-week injury is possible. If active, Dowdle would likely be an RB3/FLEX

McCarthy said he expects Dowdle and Jaylen Warren to be a “one-two punch” once Dowdle returns to the field. Warren has totaled 34 rushes over the last two weeks while rushing for 220 scoreless yards, but had a 21-89-0 line during the first two weeks of the season when Dowdle was active. Both backs will likely fall in the RB3/FLEX range if Dowdle suits up for Week 5’s game against 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.

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.