Pittsburgh –The Pittsburgh Steelers are facing another setback as running back Jaylen Warren deals with a knee injury that may affect his availability for the upcoming game. Head coach Mike Tomlin indicated that Warren didn’t appear healthy enough to continue after halftime, prompting his removal from the game.
“Jaylen Warren wasn’t able to finish there late in the second half,” Tomlin explained during his press conference. “I decided to pull him from the game because it didn’t look like he was running smoothly. We’ll conduct further evaluations.”
This injury is particularly frustrating for Warren, who had just shown signs of improvement after a previous game against the Denver Broncos, where he rushed nine times for 42 yards. Prior to that, he had been sidelined due to a hamstring injury that limited his preseason activities and resulted in a mere two carries for seven yards in the season opener against the Atlanta Falcons.
According to Nick Farabaugh from PennLive, Warren underwent an MRI on his knee after the game, which suggests that the injury might be more serious than initially believed. Farabaugh noted that this knee issue is unrelated to the earlier hamstring injury, and it’s expected that Warren will be limited in practice as the week progresses. However, the exact severity of his knee injury remains unclear at this time.
Warren isn’t the only backfield player facing health challenges. Najee Harris also encountered trouble during the last game, suffering an arm injury that has him wearing a sling as of Monday. Fortunately for the Steelers, Harris is expected to participate fully in practice this week despite the injury.
With both Warren and Harris dealing with their respective ailments, the Steelers may need to rely more on Cordarelle Patterson. Patterson showcased his versatility against the Los Angeles Chargers, playing both running back and wide receiver. In limited opportunities during that game, he managed to rush four times for 33 yards, highlighting his ability to make plays when needed.
As the Steelers prepare for their next matchup, the uncertainty surrounding Warren’s condition adds to the team’s challenges. The combination of injuries in the backfield puts additional pressure on the coaching staff to adapt their game plan. If Warren is unable to go, Patterson’s role could expand significantly, making it crucial for him to step up and support the offense effectively.
The situation remains fluid as the Steelers monitor Warren’s recovery and assess Harris’s arm injury. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how this impacts the team’s strategy moving forward and whether they can maintain their offensive momentum in the face of adversity.