Steelers Ground Game Rolls, But Jaylen Warren’s Health Worth Watching
The Pittsburgh Steelers finally found their rhythm on the ground in Sunday’s 29-24 win over the Detroit Lions - and they did it in emphatic fashion. Jaylen Warren exploded for a career-best performance, racking up 143 yards on just 14 carries, including not one but two 45-yard touchdown runs that showcased his burst, vision, and ability to finish. It was the kind of performance that can shift the identity of an offense - and maybe even a season.
But as is often the case in the NFL, big days don’t always come without a cost.
Warren came out of the game with an unspecified injury, and while head coach Mike Tomlin didn’t offer many details during his Tuesday press conference, he did say the team expects Warren to be limited in practice early in the week. The tone was optimistic, though - Tomlin noted that both Warren and offensive lineman Spencer Anderson (also dealing with an issue) are trending toward being available for the team’s next matchup.
Warren has been a workhorse this season, and the numbers back it up. Through Week 16, he’s posted 828 rushing yards and six touchdowns on 185 carries - all career-highs. He’s become not just a reliable piece of the Steelers’ offense, but a dynamic one, capable of flipping a game with a single cut and burst through the second level.
If Warren isn’t able to go against the Browns, the Steelers will likely turn to Kenneth Gainwell - and based on what we saw against Detroit, that’s not a bad contingency plan. Gainwell chipped in with 50 rushing yards on nine carries and was a major factor in the passing game, hauling in five catches for 78 yards and a touchdown. He’s shown he can be a dual-threat option out of the backfield, and he’s already stepped up earlier this season when Warren missed time, rushing for 99 yards and two scores on 19 carries against the Vikings.
Behind those two is rookie Kaleb Johnson, a third-round pick who’s had limited opportunities so far. Johnson was inactive against the Lions, and on the season he’s totaled just 69 yards on 28 carries. Still, he remains an option if depth becomes an issue.
For now, though, the Steelers are hoping their lead back can recover in time to keep the momentum rolling. Warren’s emergence has been one of the bright spots in a season that’s had its share of ups and downs, and his presence in the backfield makes this offense a lot tougher to defend.
The ground game has finally come alive - now the focus shifts to keeping it healthy.