Jaylen Warren

Pittsburgh Steelers
Running Back #30
FANTASY NEWS STATS INJURY

Jaylen Warren News RotoBaller

Jaylen Warren Still a Strong RB1 Despite Tough Matchup in Week 6

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren is enjoying a breakout campaign, ranking as the fantasy RB9 through the first five weeks, and should continue to produce against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 6. The bad news for Warren is that Tampa Bay is giving up the third-fewest yards per carry and fourth-fewest fantasy points to opposing backs. On the plus side, however, the Buccaneers have surrendered the fourth-most receptions to the position. Warren has seen at least four targets in every game this season and secured nine of 12 targets from quarterback Aaron Rodgers over the past two weeks. With Pittsburgh incredibly thin at wide receiver, as Michael Pittman Jr. (foot), Roman Wilson (finger), and Ben Skowronek (calf) are all out and DK Metcalf (illness) is questionable, Warren should be heavily involved in the passing game on Sunday. He may cede some opportunities to teammate Rico Dowdle (toe) if he returns, but Warren remains locked in as a fantasy RB1 given his recent performances and workload.

Oct 16, 2026 12:10 PM EST

Jaylen Warren is the Steelers' Featured Player Right Now

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren has become the team's featured player over the last three weeks with Rico Dowdle sidelined with a dislocated toe. Head coach Mike McCarthy called Warren "our featured player" on Monday, according to Brooke Pryor of ESPN. The 27-year-old has really stepped up for Pittsburgh's offense with more touches, going for 490 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns in the last three games on 61 touches. McCarthy envisioned more of a 50-50 split with Warren and Dowdle going into the regular season, but Dowdle's toe injury might have McCarthy rethinking his backfield plan for the rest of the season. Dowdle has a shot to return this weekend against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the road, but even if he does, Warren has worked his way into must-start status in all fantasy football leagues. Going into Week 6, Warren has been a top-10 back with 70 carries for 410 yards and a touchdown while adding 19 receptions for 230 yards and another score through the air. The former undrafted free agent from Oklahoma State is easily on pace for his first 1,000-yard rushing season if he can stay healthy.

Oct 14, 2026 6:23 PM EST

Jaylen Warren has Earned a Bigger Role in Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren has made a statement in the last three weeks as the workhorse RB1 for Pittsburgh with Rico Dowdle out due to a toe injury. Warren became the first player since Herschel Walker in 1986 to record a 50-yard touchdown run and an 80-yard touchdown catch in the same game in Sunday's Week 5 win over the Indianapolis Colts, according to ESPN's Brooke Pryor. He had 15 carries for 101 rushing yards and added six catches on six targets for 87 receiving yards and the two touchdowns. It was the third straight week (with Dowdle out) that Warren has had at least 125 all-purpose yards. No Steelers player has done that since James Conner did it four weeks in a row in 2018. Since Week 3, Warren has played at least 85% of the offensive snaps. Head coach Mike McCarthy said the Steelers hope to get Dowdle back in Week 6 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but he also admitted that Warren has been thriving with a heavier workload. "He's hauling it right now for us. There's a number you'd like to continue to give him. He's produced, so it's been heavy. It'd be great to get Rico back this week, too," McCarthy said. Dowdle's eventual return will hurt Warren's overall fantasy ceiling, but he has earned more touches in the Steelers' backfield.

Oct 12, 2026 11:12 AM EST

Jaylen Warren Goes Wild In Win Against Colts

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren had a monster day in Sunday's victory against the Indianapolis Colts, compiling 188 total yards and two touchdowns. The fifth-year back caught six passes for 87 yards, doing almost all of his receiving damage with an 80-yard touchdown catch in the first quarter. He followed that up with consistent effectiveness on the ground, rushing for 101 yards and a score on 15 carries. It was a banner fantasy performance for Warren, who has taken full advantage of fellow running back Rico Dowdle (toe) being out. Managers should keep an eye on injury reports with Dowdle close to returning ahead of a Week 6 game at Tampa, but Warren has been so reliable that he should continue to be Pittsburgh's top option out of the backfield.

Oct 11, 2026 3:39 PM EST

Jaylen Warren Remains A Fantasy RB1 Heading Into Week 5

Despite scoring zero touchdowns so far this season, Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren has been incredibly productive over the past two weeks and should remain heavily involved in Week 5 against the Indianapolis Colts. Though Rico Dowdle (toe) is listed as questionable and could return to the lineup this week, Warren should continue to operate in a featured role given his recent success. Through the first four weeks of the campaign, Warren ranks ninth in the NFL in rushing yards and seventh among running backs in targets. With Indianapolis allowing the ninth-most fantasy points and fourth-most receiving yards to opposing backs, there is little reason to think Warren can't continue his hot streak. Because heavy rain is possible in Pittsburgh on Sunday, Warren could see an even heavier workload if the conditions prevent quarterback Aaron Rodgers from pushing the ball downfield. Fantasy managers should view the 27-year-old as a must-start RB1 in this matchup.

Oct 9, 2026 2:25 PM EST

Jaylen Warren has Become a Must-Start With Teammate Injured

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren has served in a workhorse role for the Steelers in the last two weeks with backfield mate Rico Dowdle (toe) out injured. Warren has yet to find the end zone for Pittsburgh in 2026 through four games, but he has 34 rushing attempts for 220 yards (6.5 yards per attempt) and six catches for 82 yards through the air in the last two games. In the first two weeks with Dowdle involved, Warren handled 21 rushing attempts for 89 yards (4.2 yards per carry) while catching seven passes for 61 yards. The 27-year-old has been the Steelers' clear lead back of late, but head coach Mike McCarthy plans to go back to a committee approach with Warren and Dowdle when Dowdle is cleared to return, possibly as soon as this weekend against the Indianapolis Colts. Still, even upon Dowdle's return, Warren will have RB2 upside for his strong start to the 2026 campaign with Dowdle injured.

Oct 8, 2026 7:34 PM EST

Jaylen Warren Carries Fringe RB1 Status on Thursday Night Football

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren had a career-best performance in Week 3 and should continue to operate in a workhorse role against the Cleveland Browns in Week 4. With Rico Dowdle (toe) set to miss a second consecutive contest, Warren's competition for snaps will likely remain Travis Homer and Lew Nichols, who combined for two total touches last week. Warren, meanwhile, handled 17 carries and four targets, turning his 21 opportunities into 176 yards. Cleveland looks like a tough matchup for fantasy running backs on paper, but it is surrendering 4.75 yards per rush attempt to the position, the fifth-highest mark in the league. However, the Browns have yet to allow a rushing touchdown through three games. Fantasy managers should view this as a middle-of-the-road matchup but remain confident in Warren as a volume-based top-12 fantasy option.

Sep 30, 2026 4:58 PM EST

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