Jaylen Warren
Running Back #30
Jaylen Warren News
Jaylen Warren Could Continue to be Workhorse for Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren was one of the most important reasons that the offense was able to get back on track in the Week 3 win over the division-rival Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, and he served in a workhorse role with Rico Dowdle out with a toe injury. On 20 touches, Warren produced a career-high 176 yards from scrimmage. "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," quarterback Aaron Rodgers said. The Athletic's Mike DeFabo suggests that it might be time for Pittsburgh to put more on Warren's plate, even with Dowdle returns to the fold. Warren has displayed the versatility to play on every down and has the toughness to play through pain and the stamina to last deep into games. Through the first two games in 2026, Warren and Dowdle were part of an almost even backfield split. Since entering the NFL, Warren has the ninth-highest yards per carry (4.8) and the ninth-most yards after contact per rush (3.3). On a short week with a Thursday night game against the division-rival Cleveland Browns, Dowdle could be held out for a second straight game, making Warren an absolute must-start fantasy RB.
Sep 29, 2026 8:16 AM EST
Jaylen Warren is Impressive on the Ground
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren was stellar on the ground during Sunday's game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Warren had the backfield all to himself with Rico Dowdle (toe) inactive, and he took full advantage of it. Warren carried the ball 17 times for 127 yards, while also hauling in three receptions for another 49 yards. Warren would've blown past his single-game rushing record if his 87-yard run hadn't been called back for holding. His value could take a hit if Dowdle is back in action for Thursday's matchup against the Cleveland Browns. If not, Warren could be in for another big game on the ground.
Sep 27, 2026 6:39 PM EST
Jaylen Warren Active Against Bengals
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (shoulder) is officially active on Sunday for a Week 3 divisional clash against the Cincinnati Bengals after he was listed as questionable on Friday's final injury report, according to Alan Saunders of PGH Steelers Now. Meanwhile, backfield mate Rico Dowdle (toe) has been ruled out, which means that Warren should have a much bigger role out of Pittsburgh's backfield this weekend. Fantasy managers should be starting Warren for an increase in volume wherever they have him rostered. Rookie running back Eli Heidenreich is a surprise healthy scratch with Dowdle out due to injury. The Steelers signed Travis Homer to their active roster on Saturday, so he is expected to be the primary change-of-pace option for the team behind Warren against Cincy. The 27-year-old Warren has been more efficient than Dowdle through the first two weeks of the season, rushing for 89 yards on 21 carries while adding seven receptions on 10 targets for 61 yards through the air.
Sep 27, 2026 7:44 AM EST
Jaylen Warren Expected to Play Against Bengals in Week 3
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (shoulder) is expected to be active for Sunday's Week 3 contest against the Cincinnati Bengals, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com. Warren had been listed as questionable after logging a limited practice on Friday. The 27-year-old has a chance to take on a substantially larger role Sunday after teammate Rico Dowdle (toe) was ruled out. Warren has handled modest volume this year, but his pass-catching contributions have allowed him to score at least 9.7 fantasy points (PPR) per game despite failing to find the end zone so far. His ceiling is substantially higher with the backfield essentially all to himself, and he's the overall RB16 in RotoBaller's latest fantasy football rankings for Week 3.
Sep 27, 2026 4:23 AM EST
Jaylen Warren Looks Like Strong Play vs. Bengals
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren is questionable for Week 3's game against the Cincinnati Bengals but if he can suit up he is in a strong spot with fellow running back Rico Dowdle already ruled out for the Steelers. Warren was a limited participant in Friday's practice so that is a good sign for his participation. For the season, Warren has 21 carries for 89 yards which is good for 4.2 yards per attempt. He also has seven receptions for 61 receiving yards. Warren has always been a good pass-catching back and he should continue to be involved with Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers' passing game. With Dowdle missing, Warren is in line for a big contest with the potential for a few big catches and more involvement in the rushing attack. The Bengals defense is good but Warren has a positive matchup heading into Week 3.
Sep 26, 2026 6:54 AM EST
Jaylen Warren Questionable With Shoulder Injury
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (shoulder) is questionable for Sunday's game against Cincinnati after being limited for a third straight practice Friday, according to Alan Saunders. Warren has continued working through the shoulder issue all week and remains in line to lead the backfield if he is active. He has 21 carries for 89 yards and seven catches for 61 yards through two games. Rico Dowdle is dealing with a toe injury and has been ruled out, and running backs coach Ramon Chinyoung said Warren would lead the group if Dowdle is unavailable. Warren's shoulder now becomes the main thing to watch heading into Sunday.
Sep 25, 2026 12:35 PM EST
Jaylen Warren Expected to Lead Steelers Backfield
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (shoulder) is expected to lead the backfield Sunday against Cincinnati with Rico Dowdle unlikely to play. Running backs coach Ramon Chinyoung said Warren will lead the group and be spelled when he needs a breather, according to Nick Farabaugh. Warren has been limited in practice Wednesday and Thursday with a shoulder injury, but he has remained on the field. He leads Pittsburgh with 21 carries for 89 yards through two games and has added seven catches for 61 yards. The Steelers still plan to rotate other backs behind him, so the expectation is a larger role for Warren rather than an every-down workload.
Sep 25, 2026 11:30 AM EST
Jaylen Warren Limited Again on Thursday
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (shoulder) was limited in practice for the second straight day this week on Thursday, according to Alan Saunders of PGH Steelers Now. Meanwhile, backfield mate Rico Dowdle (toe) was a non-participant for the second day in a row after he suffered a toe injury in the Week 2 loss to the New England Patriots. Warren is on track to be available this Sunday against the division-rival Cincinnati Bengals, but he might need to upgrade to a full practice on Friday to avoid a questionable tag for the weekend. If Warren is active and Dowdle does not get the green light to play, Warren will be a must-start RB2 for fantasy managers against the Bengals. The 27-year-old has been the more efficient and productive back over Dowdle through two weeks, carrying the ball 21 times for 89 yards while also catching seven of his 10 targets for 61 yards as a receiver. Behind Warren and Dowdle, the Steelers have rookie Eli Heidenreich in their RB room. Warren's fantasy appeal is trending up going into Week 3 against the Bengals.
Sep 24, 2026 1:15 PM EST
Jaylen Warren Limited With Shoulder Injury on Wednesday
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (shoulder) was listed as a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, according to Alan Saunders of PGH Steelers Now. Backfield mate Rico Dowdle injured his toe in the Week 2 loss to the New England Patriots on Sunday and was seen wearing a walking boot. Dowdle did not practice on Wednesday. With Warren also dinged up, Pittsburgh's backfield could be in flux heading into their big Week 3 divisional clash against the Cincinnati Bengals. Warren appears to have the better chance of playing this Sunday, though, and he would essentially become a must-start RB2 in fantasy football lineups if Dowdle cannot play against the Bengals. The 27-year-old Warren has been the better back of the two through the first two games in 2026, carrying the ball 21 times for 89 yards (4.2 yards per carry) while catching seven of 10 targets for 61 yards as a receiver. Behind Warren and Dowdle is rookie Eli Heidenreich.
Sep 23, 2026 12:45 PM EST
Jaylen Warren Gains 77 Yards in Blowout Loss
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren handled 11 carries for 43 yards and brought in two of his four targets for 34 yards in a 20-3 Week 2 loss to the New England Patriots. While Warren's numbers won't jump off the page, he actually posted the best fantasy performance of any player on the Steelers' offense. Just like in Week 1, Warren shared a near-even split of the backfield with Rico Dowdle (toe) until the latter exited with a toe injury in the third quarter. Through two weeks, Pittsburgh hasn't shown much to get excited about from a fantasy perspective, but Warren has been productive. Fantasy managers will want to monitor Dowdle's status ahead of a Week 3 divisional clash with the Cincinnati Bengals, as Warren's fantasy outlook would receive a notable boost if he takes on an expanded role.
Sep 20, 2026 2:45 PM EST
Jaylen Warren a Volume-Based Flex Option Against Patriots
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren saw encouraging utilization in last week's win and will look to turn that opportunity into a stronger fantasy performance against the New England Patriots in Week 2. Although Warren was out-snapped by teammate Rico Dowdle, the former handled five additional touches and had a clear role in the passing game. New England's defense was stout against the run last year, but it's worth noting that the Patriots surrendered the fifth-most receptions to running backs in 2025. With Michael Pittman Jr. (foot) seemingly on the wrong side of questionable heading into the weekend, Warren could see significant involvement as a security blanket for quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The 27-year-old profiles as a flex option, particularly in PPR formats, for fantasy purposes this week.
Sep 18, 2026 7:15 PM EST
Jaylen Warren Remains the RB1 on Steelers' Depth Chart
The Pittsburgh Steelers did not make any changes to their official depth chart as they head into a Week 2 battle on the road against the New England Patriots on Sunday, according to Alan Saunders of PGH Steelers Now. Running back Jaylen Warren had a team-high 10 carries for 46 yards in the Week 1 season-opening win over the Atlanta Falcons and added five catches on six targets for another 27 yards, and he is still listed as the team's RB1 on the depth chart over Rico Dowdle. In his Steelers debut on Sunday, Dowdle had two fewer carries (eight) than Warren, running for just 15 yards (1.9 yards per carry). He caught two of his five targets for six yards. The 27-year-old Warren also lost a fumble, and although the distribution of touches between him and Dowdle was pretty even, Warren was much more efficient with the ball in his hands. Going into the Week 2 matchup this weekend against the Pats, Warren should be the slight fantasy favorite at RB for the Steelers, especially in PPR leagues.
Sep 15, 2026 8:16 AM EST
Jaylen Warren a Steady RB2 Option in Promising Week 1 Matchup
Across 16 games in 2025, Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren recorded 1,291 scrimmage yards and eight touchdowns on 251 touches across 16 games. The 27-year-old profiles as a weapon as both a rusher and a receiver, as he's recorded at least 45 targets and 300 receiving yards in three consecutive seasons. In 2026, Warren will likely split touches with fellow Steelers running back Rico Dowdle. However, Warren is listed as the starting running back on Pittsburgh's depth chart ahead of the team's Week 1 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons. Atlanta surrendered only 12 rushing touchdowns as a team in 2025, but the Falcons ranked 24th in the NFL in total rushing yards allowed (2,146). Atlanta will also be starting third-string quarterback Cooper Rush on Sunday, which could lead to Pittsburgh operating with a run-heavy game script for most of the afternoon. Warren should see plenty of touches in Week 1 and profiles as a low-end RB2 option for fantasy managers against Atlanta.
Sep 12, 2026 6:58 PM EST
Jaylen Warren Could Handle a Large Week 1 Role
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren is no stranger to competition, having spent his first three seasons in a backfield split with Najee Harris before sharing a room with Kenny Gainwell in 2025. Following Gainwell's departure, the Steelers added veteran Rico Dowdle, who has topped 1,000 rushing yards at each of his last two stops, but heading into Week 1, Warren is listed as the RB1 on the team's unofficial depth chart and could see a significant workload against an undermanned Falcons defense. Warren and Dowdle are similarly well-rounded backs who could be used interchangeably throughout the season, and should both find fantasy viability in the right matchups. Against the Falcons, the Steelers are favored at home, presenting Warren with an opportunity to forge a strong start to his 2026 season.
Sep 9, 2026 8:49 AM EST
Jaylen Warren Listed as Starter on Steelers' Depth Chart
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren is listed as the team's RB1 on their unofficial depth chart heading into a Week 1 meeting against the Atlanta Falcons this Sunday, according to Alan Saunders of PGH Steelers Now. Newcomer Rico Dowdle is expected to be the leader on early downs in Pittsburgh's backfield, but Warren is the incumbent at the position. Fantasy managers should take the Steelers' latest depth chart with a grain of salt, as Dowdle should still have a sizeable role in his first year in the Steel City, with a path to a third straight 1,000-rushing season with his third team in the last three years if he can stay healthy. Warren, meanwhile, could be a sneaky low-end RB2/high-end RB3/flex in point-per-reception fantasy leagues as the Steelers' primary receiving back out of the backfield. The 27-year-old former undrafted free agent from Oklahoma State did have a career-high 61 receptions for 370 yards back in 2023 in his second year in the league, and he could be a staple in PPR leagues with quarterback Aaron Rodgers showing a high tendency for dump-offs and checkdowns in this offense. Last year, Warren had 40 receptions on 45 targets for 333 receiving yards and two touchdowns in 16 regular-season games, and that was with Kenny Gainwell catching a whopping 73 passes for 486 yards and three touchdowns as a receiver.
Sep 8, 2026 8:50 AM EST
Jaylen Warren Should Still Have Significant Role in Pittsburgh
ESPN's Dan Graziano believes that Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren will still have a "significant" backfield role in 2026 after the team signed Rico Dowdle to a two-year, $12.25 million deal in free agency. New head coach Mike McCarthy will not be shy about giving Dowdle most of the early-down carries, but Graziano reminds us that Warren caught 61 passes on 74 targets in his second year in the league in Pittsburgh in 2023. His 61 receptions that year are 22 more than Dowdle has ever had in a season, and last year's pass-catching back in the Steel City, Kenny Gainwell, broke out with 73 catches. Veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers is going to want to check the ball down some more to avoid sacks, and the recipient of those check-downs will be Warren in 2026. In his four-year NFL career, the 27-year-old Warren has 167 catches on 199 targets for 1,227 yards (7.3 yards per catch) and two touchdowns (both in 2025). He will be the team's primary pass-catching outlet, which will make him a PPR sleeper as an RB3/flex as he shares the backfield with Dowdle.
Sep 3, 2026 12:08 PM EST
Jaylen Warren a Reliable Fantasy Target with Consistent Receiving Work
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren isn't the flashiest name in fantasy football, but he has become a reliable option for managers in half-PPR and full-PPR leagues. Warren is one of just four running backs with 500+ rushing yards and 300+ rushing yards in each of the last three seasons. The other players who fit that description are Bijan Robinson, Jahmyr Gibbs, and Breece Hall. That's not a bad group to be associated with, and it's an indicator of both his versatile skill set and his ability to stay healthy. He has missed just three games over the last three years, and he should continue to carve out a sizable role this year despite the coaching shift from Mike Tomlin to Mike McCarthy. Furthermore, the Steelers did bring in Rico Dowdle, but he's more of a Kenny Gainwell replacement. Dowdle shouldn't threaten Warren's role any more or less than Gainwell did last year. As quarterback Aaron Rodgers gets older and his checkdown rate goes up, Warren stands to benefit. He has been a top-22 fantasy running back in two of the last three seasons, and he should be a fringe RB2/RB3 once again this year.
Sep 2, 2026 6:19 AM EST
Jaylen Warren Makes Preseason Debut as Steelers' Starter
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren handled five carries for 17 yards in a 17-0 preseason loss to the New York Jets. Warren, who rested alongside backfield mate Rico Dowdle in last week's preseason opener, drew the start Friday night and played nine total snaps. He and Dowdle alternated drives over Pittsburgh's first two possessions before splitting the work on the third. Neither player was particularly efficient in the contest as the Steelers struggled to run the ball all night, but it was nonetheless encouraging to see Warren get some action as the team's lead back. Fantasy managers should anticipate a relatively even split between Warren and Dowdle heading into the regular season, with a hot-hand approach potentially dictating the workload early in the year. The 27-year-old will have one more opportunity to tune up Thursday night against the Buffalo Bills.
Aug 21, 2026 9:49 PM EST
Jaylen Warren a Safe Bet to Produce from His Latest Ambiguous Situation
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren has developed into one of the league's most well-rounded backs, topping 300 receiving yards in three straight seasons and 1,100 yards from scrimmage in two of three. Whether paired with a bruiser like Najee Harris or a pass-catching specialist like Kenny Gainwell, Warren has shown a knack for filling in wherever needed and often excelling while doing so. Now slated to share a backfield with a similar jack-of-all-trades in Rico Dowdle, there is an opportunity for both backs to produce in Mike McCarthy's up-tempo offense. Dowdle has rushed for 1,000 yards at each of his last two stops with the Panthers and Cowboys and has familiarity with McCarthy's system. Still, with Warren having already earned the trust of quarterback Aaron Rodgers, the incumbent could have an early advantage in any workload split, and his reliability to always do the right thing will make snaps difficult to take away. Both players represent excellent value in the middle rounds of 2026 drafts, and as the current RB27 by ADP, Warren has the opportunity to greatly outperform expectations after his RB16 finish a year ago in a not dissimilar situation.
Aug 16, 2026 6:38 AM EST
Jaylen Warren Listed as RB1 on First Preseason Depth Chart
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren is listed as the RB1 ahead of newcomer Rico Dowdle on the team's first preseason depth chart, according to Brooke Pryor of ESPN. Depth charts, especially preseason ones, must always be taken with a grain of salt. This is especially true for Pittsburgh's backfield in a new offense in 2026 under head coach Mike McCarthy, who has already been mum on naming a "starting" RB between Warren and Dowdle. The 27-year-old Warren had a career-high 958 rushing yards and six touchdowns on 211 carries in 2025 in his fourth year in the league, adding 40 receptions for 333 yards and another two TDs as a receiver in 16 regular-season games. Dowdle's arrival most likely will mean a reduction in carries for the former undrafted free agent from Oklahoma State, but Warren could make up for it with more receiving work now that pass-catching back Kenny Gainwell is in Tampa. Warren is trending as a more attractive RB3/flex target for fantasy managers in PPR leagues in 2026.
Aug 5, 2026 1:22 PM EST
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