Jaylen Warren’s shoulder is suddenly a big part of the Steelers’ backfield story heading into Sunday, and it’s not happening in a vacuum.
Warren stayed limited in Thursday’s practice with the shoulder issue, while Rico Dowdle missed a second straight session because of a toe injury. That leaves Pittsburgh staring at a running back situation that was already thin and now looks even more unsettled. Warren has at least been on the field both days, which is a good sign, but it doesn’t mean the Steelers can simply pencil him in for every snap if Dowdle can’t go.
Warren has been the more effective runner so far, putting up 89 yards on 21 carries through two games. Dowdle has 37 yards on 15 carries.
Even so, the Steelers’ ground game as a whole has produced very little, with Pittsburgh ranking 27th at 3.4 yards per game rushing. More touches for Warren might be the obvious answer, but the numbers also show how much the offense has struggled to create anything clean on the ground.
If Dowdle is unavailable, Pittsburgh will need a way to keep Warren fresh without asking him to carry the entire load. Travis Homer is one possibility.
He’s on the practice squad, was elevated for last week’s game and turned two carries into 16 yards. Homer also brings a role on special teams.
Rookie Eli Heidenreich is already on the roster, but he hasn’t carved out a regular rushing role. Neither has proven enough in this offense to be viewed as a straight replacement for Dowdle.
Still Curtain’s Andrew Falce pointed to Lew Nichols as another option. Nichols led Pittsburgh this preseason with 87 rushing yards and a touchdown on 20 carries, then made it through roster cuts and landed back on the practice squad in August.
Preseason production against reserve defenders is one thing; doing it against Cincinnati is another. But if the Steelers want a more conventional runner behind Warren, Nichols at least gives them a name to consider.
The Thursday injury report also included a few other moving parts. Jamel Dean, who sat out Wednesday, was limited with an ankle injury.
Joey Porter Jr. remained limited for conditioning, while Michael Pittman Jr. was limited for a second straight day with a foot injury. Jalen Ramsey practiced fully after resting Wednesday.
Cole Holcomb again missed practice for personal reasons, and rookie guard Gennings Dunker was added to the report as limited with a knee injury.
Dean’s situation matters because Pittsburgh could use the help in the secondary with Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins on deck. He and Asante Samuel Jr. started outside while Porter missed the first two games, and Porter still hasn’t practiced fully. That makes Dean’s status potentially important if the Steelers are forced into another late call at corner.
Friday’s final report should give a clearer read on Warren, Dean and Dowdle. If Dowdle is ruled out, Pittsburgh will have to decide whether it wants Homer’s special teams value or Nichols’ rushing profile behind Warren.
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