The Pittsburgh Steelers were able to get back on the right track on Sunday as the team took down the Indianapolis Colts in Week 5. Pittsburgh won the game by a score of 34-22, with the offense really carrying the load. The unit had caused some concern earlier in the regular season, but quarterback Aaron Rodgers has had success with the group. He has thrown three touchdown passes in each of the last three games. The running game has also come alive behind Jaylen Warren, who is currently on one of the best stretches of his career.
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Oct 11, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Indianapolis Colts linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither (51) and defensive end Jaylahn Tuimoloau (91) tackle Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (30) after a pass reception in the first quarter at Acrisure Stadium.
Warren has been seeing more snaps over the last several weeks after Rico Dowdle dislocated his toe twice during the loss to the New England Patriots in Week 2. Dowdle has not played since, which means Warren has been worked hard ever since that loss. The team is 2-1 during that stretch, and Warren has looked like one of the best running backs in the NFL. He finished the day on Sunday with over 100 yards on the ground, and also recorded an 80-yard touchdown catch.
The veteran running back spoke to the media after the victory, and he was asked about this increased opportunity and what it has been like with Dowdle being injured.
"I look at it just, whenever my name is called, that's how I always play, whenever my name is called I got to seize the moment." Warren said. "With Rico being down, obviously it sucks, but knowing he is one day closer to coming back, I feel like I can hold it down until then."
Dowdle was one of the bigger additions of the offseason for the Steelers. He is coming off of back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons on the ground, each coming with a different franchise. Head Coach Mike McCarthy is very familiar with the back as the two were together with the Dallas Cowboys, which is a big reason the back was brought to Pittsburgh.
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Steelers' Jaylen Warren runs out of the tunnel before a home game against the Cincinnati Bengals during the 2026 season.
Dowdle's first game missed with the Steelers was back in Week 3 against the Cincinnati Bengals, and Warren immediately seized his opportunity just like he spoke about with the media. He recorded 127 yards on the ground and nearly 50 yards through the air, and he has not looked back since. He's finally getting the respect that he deserves.
The next week he had 93 yards on the ground and 33 yards receiving, and on the year he has recorded 410 yards rushing. He is on pace to break his career high in rushing, and he has added 230 yards receiving. The only statistic Warren is lacking in is touchdowns, but he scored two of those in the win over the Colts.
Steelers Need To Move Forward With Jaylen Warren As The Lead Back
Dowdle was not placed on Injured Reserve (IR) due to his injury, so it is fair to assume that he could return within the next couple of games. Coming into the season it was expected that the two backs were going to split the load in the backfield pretty evenly, but that should no longer be the case once Dowdle returns to the field. He did not look great when he was healthy, and Warren has done enough to earn the role as the lead back in Pittsburgh for the foreseeable future.
Dowdle has just 37 rushing yards on the season with 15 attempts, which means he is barely averaging more than two yards per carry. That is not sustainable for the offense, and it shouldn't be much of a decision to keep Warren in his current role once the other running back returns to full health.
What do you think about Warren's comments following the big win over the Colts? Let me know on X, @brogannoey!
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