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

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 Warren’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.

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 Warren’s carries in the red zone will increase substantially under new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith this season.

“Jaylen Warren might be more involved near the goal-line this season,” Barfield wrote. “The 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%

“Falcons RBs split similarly inside-the-10 two years ago as well – Allgeier 45%, Patterson 32%, Hundley 21%.”

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