Steelers Could Get Back Big Piece on Offense
During his weekly Tuesday press conference, Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin ruled out running back Cordarrelle Patterson and listed running back Jaylen Warren as doubtful for Sunday’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Warren has not played since Week 3 versus the Los Angeles Chargers when he went down with a grade 1 PCL sprain. His timetable for a return is week to week, but it appears he could be back sooner than expected after being a limited participant at Wednesday’s practice.
“I feel great. I don’t know, that’s their decision, whatever they decide. But I feel good, I could play. If they let me out there, I’ll play. It’s their call,” Warren told Mike Prisuta of WDVE Radio.
Patterson left the Week 4 game against Indianapolis Colts in the third quarter after suffering a knee injury. The veteran running back ran well before the injury, rushing for 43 yards on six carries, a robust average of 7.2 yards per carry.
Starting running back Najee Harris has struggled the last two weeks, rushing for a combined 61 yards on 27 carries (2.2 average). This could be a get-right game for Harris, as Las Vegas allows an average of 131.8 rushing yards per game. The Cowboys ranked 26th in run defense heading into Sunday night’s game, however, so it’s far from a guarantee. Harris appears to not be a good fit in Arthur Smith’s zone scheme.
That’s why getting Warren back could be a big boost for the offense. Warren and Patterson’s downhill style matches what Smith wants to do on offense.
Warren ran for 5.3 yards per carry, one of the best figures in the league in 2023. He ran 149 times for 784 yards and four touchdowns. He also caught 61 passes for 370 yards. Warren has been hampered with two separate injuries this season, but he’s without a doubt one of their top playmakers. If deemed healthy, he could ignite a struggling rushing attack.
Alan Saunders contributed reporting from Pittsburgh.
Read This Next
