Rico Dowdle
Running Back #23
Rico Dowdle News
Rico Dowdle Has a Pretty Good Chance to Play Next Week
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rico Dowdle (toe) has already been ruled out of his team's Week 4 matchup on Thursday night against the Browns, but his return may not be far away. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Thursday morning that Dowdle is more "day-to-day than anything else," and that he "has a pretty good chance" to return in Week 5, when the Steelers host the Colts at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh. Dowdle shared work in the first two weeks of the season with Jaylen Warren, and he'll be back in that timeshare when he returns from his toe injury. Until then, Warren will carry a big workload, giving him a boost in fantasy value.
Oct 1, 2026 5:30 AM EST
Rico Dowdle Will Miss Second Straight Game
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rico Dowdle (toe) has been ruled out for Thursday night's game against Cleveland, according to Brooke Pryor of ESPN. Dowdle didn't practice at all on the short week and will now miss a second straight game. He has 15 carries for 37 yards and four catches for 28 yards through two appearances this season. Jaylen Warren took over the backfield without Dowdle against Cincinnati and turned in a huge game, rushing for 127 yards while finishing with 176 yards from scrimmage. Warren should again handle most of Pittsburgh's backfield work Thursday night.
Sep 30, 2026 11:42 AM EST
Rico Dowdle a Non-Participant Again on Tuesday
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rico Dowdle (toe) was present, but he was not participating in the period of practice open to the media on Tuesday, according to Nick Farabaugh of Penn Live. Dowdle did not play in the Week 3 win over the division-rival Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday due to a right-toe injury that he suffered in the Week 2 loss to the New England Patriots, which led to Jaylen Warren being used in a workhorse role. Travis Homer and Lew Nichols III combined for just six offensive snaps. Warren handled a season-high 17 rushing attempts for 127 yards and also caught three of his four targets for 49 yards as a receiver. The 27-year-old jump-started the Steelers' offense on the day after they looked very slugging in the first two weeks of the 2026 season. Dowdle is not trending in the right direction to make his return on a short week on Thursday Night Football against the division-rival Cleveland Browns. If Warren is held out for a second straight week, Warren will be a must-start in all traditional fantasy football lineups as the Steelers' workhorse. After back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons the last two years with the Dallas Cowboys and Carolina Panthers, Dowdle is off to a slow start in the Steel City.
Sep 29, 2026 1:13 PM EST
Rico Dowdle Not Spotted at Steelers Practice on Monday
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rico Dowdle (toe) was not seen during the open portion of his team's practice on Monday, per Mike DeFabo of The Athletic. Dowdle was inactive for Pittsburgh's Week 3 win over the Cincinnati Bengals due to a toe injury. The Steelers have a short week in Week 4 as they prepare to play the Cleveland Browns on Thursday Night Football, which could increase the likelihood that Dowdle misses a second straight game. Dowdle was off to a slow start to his first season in Pittsburgh before getting injured, recording 65 scrimmage yards on 19 touches across two contests. With Dowdle sidelined against the Bengals, Steelers back Jaylen Warren dominated backfield work and had a monster game, recording 176 scrimmage yards on 20 touches. If Dowdle remains out in Week 4, Warren would likely profile as a must-start running back against Cleveland.
Sep 28, 2026 12:58 PM EST
Rico Dowdle Ruled Out for Week 3
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rico Dowdle (toe) has been ruled out for his team's Week 3 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals, per Alan Saunders of Steelers Now. Dowdle has gotten off to a slow start in his first season in Pittsburgh, recording 15 carries for 37 yards and four catches for 28 yards on seven targets across two games. The Steelers have split backfield work evenly between Dowdle and Jaylen Warren (shoulder) to begin the year. However, Warren has been limited in practice this week by a shoulder injury and is officially questionable for Week 3. If Warren is active, he would likely dominate backfield touches for Pittsburgh and would profile as a must-start running back for fantasy managers. If neither Dowdle nor Warren can play, seventh-round rookie Eli Heidenreich would be the next running back up in Pittsburgh.
Sep 25, 2026 12:08 PM EST
Rico Dowdle Trending Toward Missing Week 3
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rico Dowdle (toe) appears to be trending toward missing Sunday's game against Cincinnati, according to Nick Farabaugh. Dowdle did not practice Wednesday or Thursday and still was not seen during the open portion of Friday's session. Pittsburgh had not released his final Week 3 designation at the time of this update. Dowdle suffered the toe injury in last week's loss to New England, finishing with seven carries for 22 yards and two catches for another 22 yards. Jaylen Warren has been limited this week with a shoulder injury but has continued practicing. If Dowdle sits, Warren would be positioned for more of the backfield work.
Sep 25, 2026 8:11 AM EST
Rico Dowdle Out of Boot, Still No Practice on Thursday
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rico Dowdle (toe) did not participate in the portion of practice open to the media on Thursday, but he was out of his walking boot, according to Nick Farabaugh of Penn Live. It is good news that Dowdle is no longer in a boot, but his status for the Week 3 divisional matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals is very much up in the air. The 28-year-old will definitely need to practice in some fashion on Friday to avoid being ruled out entirely. Backfield mate Jaylen Warren (shoulder) is also banged up, but he was taking part in practice on Thursday and should be available to play this weekend. If Dowdle is not cleared to play against the Bengals, Warren will basically become a must-start RB2 in fantasy football lineups, with rookie Eli Heidenreich being elevated to the RB2 role in a Steelers offense that has not looked great at all under new head coach Mike McCarthy through the first two weeks of the season. Dowdle is coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons with the Dallas Cowboys and Carolina Panthers, but it looks like it will be very difficult for him to make it three straight in 2026.
Sep 24, 2026 9:03 AM EST
Rico Dowdle in Boot, Not Seen at Practice
Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle (toe) had a boot on his left foot and was not seen practicing during the period of practice open to the media on Wednesday, according to Nick Farabaugh of Penn Live. Jaylen Warren was also not seen at practice on Wednesday, so the Steelers' backfield has some question marks going into a Week 3 divisional meeting against the Cincinnati Bengals. Warren seems to be the healthier of the two, but we might not have a better read on this situation until later in the week. The 28-year-old Dowdle, who is coming off two straight 1,000-yard rushing seasons, has gotten off to a slow start with the Steelers in 2026 and is now banged up. He carried the ball 15 times for 37 yards (2.5 yards per carry) and caught four passes for 28 yards through the first two weeks of the season. If Dowdle cannot gain clearance to play this weekend against Cincy, rookie Eli Heidenreich would be in line for a much bigger role in an offense that has looked very sluggish early on.
Sep 23, 2026 10:08 AM EST
Rico Dowdle Considered Day-to-Day With Toe Injury
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rico Dowdle (toe), who was carted to the locker room on Sunday in the Week 2 loss to the New England Patriots with a toe injury, checked out relatively OK following tests, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. Dowdle is considered day-to-day with a Week 3 matchup coming this weekend at home against the division-rival Cincinnati Bengals. The 28-year-old should be available for this Sunday's game, but it could depend on how much he can do during practice from Wednesday through Friday. Before leaving on Sunday against the Pats, Dowdle had seven carries for only 22 yards and caught both of his targets for an additional 22 yards through the air. If Dowdle is limited at all or out in Week 3 versus the Bengals, backfield mate Jaylen Warren would become a clear RB2 for fantasy managers as Pittsburgh's primary back. In the Week 1 win over the Atlanta Falcons, Dowdle averaged just 1.9 yards per carry for 15 yards on eight carries, adding two catches for six yards. It has been slow going so far for him in 2026 in his first year with the Steelers.
Sep 22, 2026 1:45 PM EST
Rico Dowdle Out with Toe Injury
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rico Dowdle (toe) won't return to Sunday's game against the New England Patriots due to an apparent toe injury. Dowdle briefly returned for the second half of Sunday's game after sustaining the injury in the second quarter and being taken to the locker room on a cart. He had Pittsburgh's first carry of the second half and was involved in the subsequent drive before leaving the game again. Fellow backs Jaylen Warren and Travis Homer remain active in Sunday's road game. If Dowdle's toe injury is serious enough to keep him sidelined going into Week 3, Warren would become an absolute must-start fantasy RB for the Steelers.
Sep 20, 2026 11:51 AM EST
Rico Dowdle Returns After Toe Injury
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rico Dowdle (toe) returned to Sunday's game against the New England Patriots, according to Brooke Pryor. Dowdle was questionable to return after being taken to the locker room on a cart during the second quarter. He had four carries for 11 yards and one catch for nine yards before leaving. Dowdle received Pittsburgh's first carry of the second half and remained involved afterward, resuming his role in the backfield alongside Jaylen Warren and Travis Homer.
Sep 20, 2026 11:13 AM EST
Rico Dowdle Questionable to Return With Toe Injury
Updating a previous report, Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rico Dowdle (toe) is questionable to return against the New England Patriots, according to Brooke Pryor. Dowdle went to the blue medical tent before being taken to the locker room on a cart earlier in the second quarter. He had four carries for 11 yards and caught one pass for nine yards before leaving. Jaylen Warren should handle most of the backfield work if Dowdle can't return, while Travis Homer has already picked up two carries for 16 yards in the game.
Sep 20, 2026 10:21 AM EST
Rico Dowdle Taken to Locker Room on Cart
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rico Dowdle (undisclosed) went to the blue medical tent before being taken to the locker room on a cart during Sunday's game against the New England Patriots, according to Brooke Pryor. Dowdle was seen hobbling over to the cart before leaving the field. He had four carries for 11 yards and caught one pass for nine yards before exiting. Pittsburgh has not announced an injury or return designation yet. Jaylen Warren would be in line for more backfield work if Dowdle can't return, with Eli Heidenreich and practice-squad elevation Travis Homer providing additional depth.
Sep 20, 2026 10:12 AM EST
Rico Dowdle Difficult to Trust After Disappointing Week 1
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rico Dowdle led the team's backfield in snaps last week but managed just 21 total yards on 10 touches. He could have a difficult time bouncing back in Week 2 against a New England Patriots defense that surrendered the fourth-fewest fantasy points to running backs last season. The Patriots were vulnerable to opposing backs in the passing game, however, and Dowdle could find some success as a check-down option for quarterback Aaron Rodgers after seeing five targets in Week 1. Still, it's difficult to get too excited about Dowdle's outlook on Sunday with Jaylen Warren profiling as the more dynamic pass-catcher of the two. Fantasy managers should avoid putting Dowdle in starting lineups this week if possible, but he remains a worthwhile stash ahead of a favorable matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 3.
Sep 18, 2026 7:20 PM EST
Rico Dowdle No Longer a Viable Fantasy Starter
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rico Dowdle remains on the fantasy radar, but only as a player to stash on the bench in most leagues. His fantasy stock has fallen significantly since last season with the Panthers, when he ranked as the overall RB18 in PPR with seven touchdowns and over 1,000 rushing yards. Fast forward to Week 1 of the 2026 campaign, and Dowdle was held in check with just eight carries, 15 rushing yards, and two catches. He actually played more snaps than Jaylen Warren, but was drastically out-produced by the 27-year-old. It's too early to drop him in leagues with 10+ teams, especially since we know that he can be a fantasy RB2 if Warren were to miss time. For now, though, he should be benched in fantasy football until he proves that he can maintain any sort of standalone value.
Sep 18, 2026 6:20 AM EST
Rico Dowdle Delivers Poor Output Despite Sizable Role
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rico Dowdle rushed for just 15 yards on eight carries during Sunday's Week 1 win over the Atlanta Falcons. He also caught two of his five targets for an additonal six receiving yards. Between carries and targets, Dowdle had 13 opportunities, which is still a somewhat reasonable result. The biggest issue was that he was wildly efficient on the ground and through the air, averaging 1.9 yards per carry and 3.0 yards per catch. Enerting the season, it seemed like Dowdle was going to split the volume from this backfield with Jaylen Warren, but the latter ended up leading the way on Sunday. For now, we're inclined to believe we'll see similar backfield dynamics next week and beyond. Warren has earned the right to touch the ball 15+ times per game as a top-25 fantasy running back while Dowdle is still in more of the low-end RB3/flex tier for now.
Sep 13, 2026 3:57 PM EST
Rico Dowdle in the Flex Territory for Steelers Debut
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rico Dowdle ranks as a high-end RB3/flex option for Week 1 against the Atlanta Falcons. Dowdle was signed to replace Kenny Gainwell during the offseason, and he'll join forces with Jaylen Warren in Pittsburgh's backfield. The exact volume split in this Steelers backfield is unclear, as both Dowdle and Warren are versatile backs with the ability to run the ball or catch passes. The Steelers have a new coaching staff, so we can't assume much will remain the same from last year. However, we also wouldn't be surprised to see the Steelers let Warren and Dowdle alternate drives. This is similar to what they did with Warren and Gainwell last year, and interestingly enough, it's also similar to what the Panthers did with Dowdle and Chuba Hubbard when both were healthy. With a sizable role headed his way, Dowdle remains a high-end RB3/flex, especially in this highly favorable matchup against the Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons are starting third-string quarterback Cooper Rush, leaving Pittsburgh as the heavy favorite. That bodes well for touchdown upside and rushing volume in general. Typically, managers are advised to "start their studs" in Week 1. Dowdle isn't a stud, per se, but he's still a very appealing RB3/flex with a high floor against Atlanta.
Sep 12, 2026 9:25 PM EST
Rico Dowdle Listed as RB2 on Steelers' Depth Chart
Running back Rico Dowdle is listed as the No. 2 RB on the Pittsburgh Steelers' unofficial depth chart ahead of the team's Week 1 season opener against the Atlanta Falcons this Sunday, Sept. 13, according to PGH Steelers Now's Alan Saunders. Fantasy managers should not read too much into this, as Dowdle is fully expected to be head coach Mike McCarthy's preferred option out of the backfield on early downs in 2026, and if he stays healthy, the 28-year-old could have a path to a third straight 1,000-rushing season with his third different team in the last three years. Jaylen Warren is likely listed as the RB1 on the depth chart because he is the incumbent of Pittsburgh's backfield. Dowdle handled a career-high 236 carries for 1,076 yards and a career-high six rushing touchdowns in 17 regular-season games in 2025 with the Carolina Panthers, adding 39 receptions for 297 yards and an additional score through the air. As the Steelers' preferred early-down option, Dowdle will have more fantasy value in standard-scoring leagues as an RB3/flex going into the Week 1 tilt this Sunday against Atlanta.
Sep 8, 2026 8:59 AM EST
Rico Dowdle More Likely for Early-Down Work in Pittsburgh
ESPN's Dan Graziano does not think anyone should be surprised if Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rico Dowdle has a third straight 1,000-yard rushing season in 2026 in his first year with the Steelers. Dowdle's first 1,000-yard season came in 2024 with the Dallas Cowboys, when Mike McCarthy was the head coach. He is now the Steelers' head coach, and he knows Dowdle can be his lead back. Graziano's understanding is that Dowdle "is more likely to get early-down work" ahead of Jaylen Warren. Graziano does not think McCarthy will be shy about giving Dowdle plenty of work after he averaged 20.3 carries per game over the final seven games of the 2024 season in Dallas. He had a combined 471 carries over the last two seasons with the Cowboys and Carolina Panthers, and he made it a point to sign a two-year, $12.25 million deal with Pittsburgh so that he could have a real chance to be the RB1. Warren will still have a significant role, mostly as a pass-catcher, which means that Dowdle will be a better low-end RB2/high-end RB3 target in standard-scoring fantasy leagues in 2026. The 28-year-old has back-to-back seasons of exactly 39 receptions, but that number should drop with Warren handling most of the pass-catching work in the Steel City.
Sep 3, 2026 11:59 AM EST
Rico Dowdle's Role Looks Safer After Final Cuts
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rico Dowdle came out of final cuts with a cleaner path to touches. Pittsburgh traded Kaleb Johnson to Green Bay and moved on from Travis Homer and Lew Nichols, leaving Jaylen Warren and Dowdle as the only players listed strictly at running back on the initial 53-man roster. Eli Heidenreich remains as an RB/WR and is third on the depth chart, but the top of the room is clearly Warren and Dowdle. That matches what the Steelers said all summer. Offensive coordinator Brian Angelichio said both backs would be a big part of the offense, and Dowdle played 10 snaps to Warren's nine in the preseason game against the Jets. Dowdle also brings consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons, including 1,076 yards and six touchdowns on 236 carries for Carolina last year. Warren still sits first on the depth chart, so this is not a workhorse setup. The cuts do make Dowdle's share of the backfield feel a lot safer heading into Week 1.
Aug 31, 2026 11:57 AM EST
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