Connect with us

Steelers Injury Updates

Steelers RB Jaylen Warren Expected to Miss Multiple Weeks, Season Opener Up in Air

Published

on

Pittsburgh Steelers RB Jaylen Warren
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren runs through a hole against the Houston Texans in a preseason game on Aug. 9, 2024. -- Ed Thompson / Steelers Now

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (hamstring) is expected to miss multiple weeks, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.



Warren suffered the hamstring injury after catching pass from Russell Wilson in the second quarter of Saturday night’s preseason game against the Buffalo Bills. He gained 12 yards on the play, twisting through a tackle from Rasul Douglas and Joel Andreessen before being dragged to the ground.

Warren walked off the field and was evaluated in the medical tent on the Pittsburgh sideline before walking down the steps to the Steelers locker room.

Warren had three touches in the game before he was injured, one carry for one yard, and two receptions for 14 yards. Najee Harris and Cordarrelle Patterson alternated with the first time with Warren out.

Hamstring injuries can linger for weeks, and the injury just three weeks before the season opener on Sept. 8 in Atlanta, certainly puts Warrenโ€™s status for Week 1 in doubt. Harris and Patterson will have to carry the load if Warren is sidelined in Week 1 against Atlanta.

The Steelers had already been playing without third-team running back Jonathan Ward, who suffered a hamstring injury in practice this week. They worked out rookie Jaden Shirden on Friday, and may now need to make an addition at running back before the preseason finale at Detroit next Saturday.

Pittsburgh Steelers RB Jaylen Warren

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren in a preseason game against the Houston Texans on Aug. 9, 2024. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now

Warren is one of the Steelers’ best weapons, and the offense has been lackadaisical through two preseason games. The first-team offense has scored zero points. It’s only preseason, so maybe the offense will get it together, but Warren would be a massive loss for Week 1 against the Falcons.

Last season, Warren was in his own stratosphere when it came to tackle-breaking efficiency against 7+ defenders in the box, according to a graphic posted by Ryan Heath of Fantasy Points Data.

In 2023, Warren ranked first in missed tackles forced per touch, fifth in yards after contact per touch and seventh in explosive play rate, according to Heath.

Graham Barfield of Fantasy Points thinks Warrenโ€™s carries in the red zone will increase substantially under new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith this season.

โ€œJaylen Warren might be more involved near the goal-line this season,โ€ Barfield wrote. โ€œThe Steelers old staff gave Najee Harris 45 carries inside-the-10 (78% share) compared to just 12 for Warren (21% share) in the last two seasons. OC Arthur Smith loves to rotate RBs in the red-zone. Bijan Robinson handled just 44% of carries inside-the-10 last year. Allgeier was at 37% and Patterson 19%

โ€œFalcons RBs split similarly inside-the-10 two years ago as well โ€“ Allgeier 45%, Patterson 32%, Hundley 21%.โ€

STEELERS INJURY REPORT vs BILLS

Player Injury Dateย  Prognosis Roster Status
LB Tyler Matakevich Left Ankle Aug. 17 TBD Active, OUT vs. Bills
CB Anthony Averett Hamstring Aug. 17 TBD Active, OUT vs. Bills
LB Payton Wilson Concussion Aug. 17 TBD Active, OUT vs. Bills
RB Jaylen Warren Hamstring Aug. 17 Multiple Weeks Active, OUT vs. Bills
CB Beanie Bishop Undisclosed Aug. 15 TBD Active, OUT vs. Bills
C Nate Herbig Shoulder Aug. 14 Multiple weeks Active, OUT vs. Bills
RB Jonathan Ward Hamstring Aug. 14 TBD Active, OUT vs. Bills
DB Grayland Arnold Calf Aug. 14 TBD Injured reserve
CB Kalon Barnes Quadย  Aug. 11ย  TBD Injured reserve
WR Tarik Black Hamstring Aug. 11ย  TBD Injured reserve
CB Donte Jackson Undisclosed Aug. 9 TBD Active vs. Bills
OT Troy Fautanu Left MCL sprain Aug. 9 Two weeks Active, OUT vs. Bills
S Nate Meadors Hamstring Aug. 6 TBD Injured reserve
OLB Alex Highsmith Groin Aug. 6 TBD Active vs. Bills
OLB David Perales Torn left MCL July 31 Months Injured reserveย 
WR Roman Wilson Left ankle sprain July 30 Week to week Active, OUT vs. Bills
ILB Cole Holcomb Left knee Nov. 2, 2023 TBD Physically unable to perform

Copyright ยฉ 2024 National Hockey Now LLC / Steelers Now. We are a fully credentialed news organization covering the Pittsburgh Steelers of the NFL. In no way affiliated with or endorsed by the Pittsburgh Steelers or NFL.

Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (PA/IL) or 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN only) or 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA only) or 1-800-522-4700 (CO Only) or TN REDLINE: 800-889-9789.

21 and over only responsible gaming

Steelers Now in your Inbox

Sign up and get all of our posts sent directly to your inbox!

Thank you!

Oops!