Don’t Let ‘Lightning’ Nickname Put Jaylen Warren in a Bottle (+)

Alan Saunders |

Updated: Aug 25, 2023

Steelers Jaylen Warren — Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (30) stretches out for a touchdown over Atlanta Falcons safety Jaylinn Hawkins (32) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023, in Atlanta. The Pittsburgh Steelers won 24-0. (AP Photo/Danny Karnik)

ATLANTA — When Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren turned on an extra gear in the team’s second preseason game of the 2023 season to race to a 62-yard touchdown against the Buffalo Bills last week, he turned some heads.

Warren has always been an explosive back, but he showed a level of burst that not everyone knew he possessed when he gave a little stutter step, then out ran and broke the tackle of All-Pro Bills safety Jordan Poyer.

He also set off a week of debate about how much Warren should be used within the Steelers offense compared to starter Najee Harris.

On Thursday night in Atlanta, Warren did something else that was not necessarily as eye-catching at first, but should still be taken into serious consideration when it comes to breaking down the split of reps between the Steelers running backs.