RADIO
Rico Dowdle Ruled Out for Week 3
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rico Dowdle (toe) has been ruled out for his team's Week 3 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals, per Alan Saunders of Steelers Now. Dowdle has gotten off to a slow start in his first season in Pittsburgh, recording 15 carries for 37 yards and four catches for 28 yards on seven targets across two games. The Steelers have split backfield work evenly between Dowdle and Jaylen Warren (shoulder) to begin the year. However, Warren has been limited in practice this week by a shoulder injury and is officially questionable for Week 3. If Warren is active, he would likely dominate backfield touches for Pittsburgh and would profile as a must-start running back for fantasy managers. If neither Dowdle nor Warren can play, seventh-round rookie Eli Heidenreich would be the next running back up in Pittsburgh.
Source: Steelers Now - Alan Saunders
Source: Steelers Now - Alan Saunders
Jaylen Warren Expected to Lead Steelers Backfield
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (shoulder) is expected to lead the backfield Sunday against Cincinnati with Rico Dowdle unlikely to play. Running backs coach Ramon Chinyoung said Warren will lead the group and be spelled when he needs a breather, according to Nick Farabaugh. Warren has been limited in practice Wednesday and Thursday with a shoulder injury, but he has remained on the field. He leads Pittsburgh with 21 carries for 89 yards through two games and has added seven catches for 61 yards. The Steelers still plan to rotate other backs behind him, so the expectation is a larger role for Warren rather than an every-down workload.
Source: Nick Farabaugh
Source: Nick Farabaugh
Rico Dowdle Trending Toward Missing Week 3
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rico Dowdle (toe) appears to be trending toward missing Sunday's game against Cincinnati, according to Nick Farabaugh. Dowdle did not practice Wednesday or Thursday and still was not seen during the open portion of Friday's session. Pittsburgh had not released his final Week 3 designation at the time of this update. Dowdle suffered the toe injury in last week's loss to New England, finishing with seven carries for 22 yards and two catches for another 22 yards. Jaylen Warren has been limited this week with a shoulder injury but has continued practicing. If Dowdle sits, Warren would be positioned for more of the backfield work.
Source: Nick Farabaugh
Source: Nick Farabaugh
Jaylen Warren Limited Again on Thursday
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (shoulder) was limited in practice for the second straight day this week on Thursday, according to Alan Saunders of PGH Steelers Now. Meanwhile, backfield mate Rico Dowdle (toe) was a non-participant for the second day in a row after he suffered a toe injury in the Week 2 loss to the New England Patriots. Warren is on track to be available this Sunday against the division-rival Cincinnati Bengals, but he might need to upgrade to a full practice on Friday to avoid a questionable tag for the weekend. If Warren is active and Dowdle does not get the green light to play, Warren will be a must-start RB2 for fantasy managers against the Bengals. The 27-year-old has been the more efficient and productive back over Dowdle through two weeks, carrying the ball 21 times for 89 yards while also catching seven of his 10 targets for 61 yards as a receiver. Behind Warren and Dowdle, the Steelers have rookie Eli Heidenreich in their RB room. Warren's fantasy appeal is trending up going into Week 3 against the Bengals.
Source: PGH Steelers Now - Alan Saunders
Source: PGH Steelers Now - Alan Saunders
Rico Dowdle Out of Boot, Still No Practice on Thursday
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rico Dowdle (toe) did not participate in the portion of practice open to the media on Thursday, but he was out of his walking boot, according to Nick Farabaugh of Penn Live. It is good news that Dowdle is no longer in a boot, but his status for the Week 3 divisional matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals is very much up in the air. The 28-year-old will definitely need to practice in some fashion on Friday to avoid being ruled out entirely. Backfield mate Jaylen Warren (shoulder) is also banged up, but he was taking part in practice on Thursday and should be available to play this weekend. If Dowdle is not cleared to play against the Bengals, Warren will basically become a must-start RB2 in fantasy football lineups, with rookie Eli Heidenreich being elevated to the RB2 role in a Steelers offense that has not looked great at all under new head coach Mike McCarthy through the first two weeks of the season. Dowdle is coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons with the Dallas Cowboys and Carolina Panthers, but it looks like it will be very difficult for him to make it three straight in 2026.
Source: Penn Live - Nick Farabaugh
Source: Penn Live - Nick Farabaugh
Jaylen Warren Limited With Shoulder Injury on Wednesday
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (shoulder) was listed as a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, according to Alan Saunders of PGH Steelers Now. Backfield mate Rico Dowdle injured his toe in the Week 2 loss to the New England Patriots on Sunday and was seen wearing a walking boot. Dowdle did not practice on Wednesday. With Warren also dinged up, Pittsburgh's backfield could be in flux heading into their big Week 3 divisional clash against the Cincinnati Bengals. Warren appears to have the better chance of playing this Sunday, though, and he would essentially become a must-start RB2 in fantasy football lineups if Dowdle cannot play against the Bengals. The 27-year-old Warren has been the better back of the two through the first two games in 2026, carrying the ball 21 times for 89 yards (4.2 yards per carry) while catching seven of 10 targets for 61 yards as a receiver. Behind Warren and Dowdle is rookie Eli Heidenreich.
Source: PGH Steelers Now - Alan Saunders
Source: PGH Steelers Now - Alan Saunders
Rico Dowdle in Boot, Not Seen at Practice
Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle (toe) had a boot on his left foot and was not seen practicing during the period of practice open to the media on Wednesday, according to Nick Farabaugh of Penn Live. Jaylen Warren was also not seen at practice on Wednesday, so the Steelers' backfield has some question marks going into a Week 3 divisional meeting against the Cincinnati Bengals. Warren seems to be the healthier of the two, but we might not have a better read on this situation until later in the week. The 28-year-old Dowdle, who is coming off two straight 1,000-yard rushing seasons, has gotten off to a slow start with the Steelers in 2026 and is now banged up. He carried the ball 15 times for 37 yards (2.5 yards per carry) and caught four passes for 28 yards through the first two weeks of the season. If Dowdle cannot gain clearance to play this weekend against Cincy, rookie Eli Heidenreich would be in line for a much bigger role in an offense that has looked very sluggish early on.
Source: Penn Live - Nick Farabaugh
Source: Penn Live - Nick Farabaugh
Rico Dowdle Considered Day-to-Day With Toe Injury
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rico Dowdle (toe), who was carted to the locker room on Sunday in the Week 2 loss to the New England Patriots with a toe injury, checked out relatively OK following tests, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. Dowdle is considered day-to-day with a Week 3 matchup coming this weekend at home against the division-rival Cincinnati Bengals. The 28-year-old should be available for this Sunday's game, but it could depend on how much he can do during practice from Wednesday through Friday. Before leaving on Sunday against the Pats, Dowdle had seven carries for only 22 yards and caught both of his targets for an additional 22 yards through the air. If Dowdle is limited at all or out in Week 3 versus the Bengals, backfield mate Jaylen Warren would become a clear RB2 for fantasy managers as Pittsburgh's primary back. In the Week 1 win over the Atlanta Falcons, Dowdle averaged just 1.9 yards per carry for 15 yards on eight carries, adding two catches for six yards. It has been slow going so far for him in 2026 in his first year with the Steelers.
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Jaylen Warren Gains 77 Yards in Blowout Loss
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren handled 11 carries for 43 yards and brought in two of his four targets for 34 yards in a 20-3 Week 2 loss to the New England Patriots. While Warren's numbers won't jump off the page, he actually posted the best fantasy performance of any player on the Steelers' offense. Just like in Week 1, Warren shared a near-even split of the backfield with Rico Dowdle (toe) until the latter exited with a toe injury in the third quarter. Through two weeks, Pittsburgh hasn't shown much to get excited about from a fantasy perspective, but Warren has been productive. Fantasy managers will want to monitor Dowdle's status ahead of a Week 3 divisional clash with the Cincinnati Bengals, as Warren's fantasy outlook would receive a notable boost if he takes on an expanded role.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Rico Dowdle Out with Toe Injury
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rico Dowdle (toe) won't return to Sunday's game against the New England Patriots due to an apparent toe injury. Dowdle briefly returned for the second half of Sunday's game after sustaining the injury in the second quarter and being taken to the locker room on a cart. He had Pittsburgh's first carry of the second half and was involved in the subsequent drive before leaving the game again. Fellow backs Jaylen Warren and Travis Homer remain active in Sunday's road game. If Dowdle's toe injury is serious enough to keep him sidelined going into Week 3, Warren would become an absolute must-start fantasy RB for the Steelers.
Source: 93.7 The Fan via X.com
Source: 93.7 The Fan via X.com
Rico Dowdle Returns After Toe Injury
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rico Dowdle (toe) returned to Sunday's game against the New England Patriots, according to Brooke Pryor. Dowdle was questionable to return after being taken to the locker room on a cart during the second quarter. He had four carries for 11 yards and one catch for nine yards before leaving. Dowdle received Pittsburgh's first carry of the second half and remained involved afterward, resuming his role in the backfield alongside Jaylen Warren and Travis Homer.
Source: Brooke Pryor
Source: Brooke Pryor
Rico Dowdle Questionable to Return With Toe Injury
Updating a previous report, Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rico Dowdle (toe) is questionable to return against the New England Patriots, according to Brooke Pryor. Dowdle went to the blue medical tent before being taken to the locker room on a cart earlier in the second quarter. He had four carries for 11 yards and caught one pass for nine yards before leaving. Jaylen Warren should handle most of the backfield work if Dowdle can't return, while Travis Homer has already picked up two carries for 16 yards in the game.
Source: Brooke Pryor
Source: Brooke Pryor
Rico Dowdle Taken to Locker Room on Cart
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rico Dowdle (undisclosed) went to the blue medical tent before being taken to the locker room on a cart during Sunday's game against the New England Patriots, according to Brooke Pryor. Dowdle was seen hobbling over to the cart before leaving the field. He had four carries for 11 yards and caught one pass for nine yards before exiting. Pittsburgh has not announced an injury or return designation yet. Jaylen Warren would be in line for more backfield work if Dowdle can't return, with Eli Heidenreich and practice-squad elevation Travis Homer providing additional depth.
Source: Brooke Pryor
Source: Brooke Pryor
Rico Dowdle Difficult to Trust After Disappointing Week 1
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rico Dowdle led the team's backfield in snaps last week but managed just 21 total yards on 10 touches. He could have a difficult time bouncing back in Week 2 against a New England Patriots defense that surrendered the fourth-fewest fantasy points to running backs last season. The Patriots were vulnerable to opposing backs in the passing game, however, and Dowdle could find some success as a check-down option for quarterback Aaron Rodgers after seeing five targets in Week 1. Still, it's difficult to get too excited about Dowdle's outlook on Sunday with Jaylen Warren profiling as the more dynamic pass-catcher of the two. Fantasy managers should avoid putting Dowdle in starting lineups this week if possible, but he remains a worthwhile stash ahead of a favorable matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 3.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jaylen Warren a Volume-Based Flex Option Against Patriots
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren saw encouraging utilization in last week's win and will look to turn that opportunity into a stronger fantasy performance against the New England Patriots in Week 2. Although Warren was out-snapped by teammate Rico Dowdle, the former handled five additional touches and had a clear role in the passing game. New England's defense was stout against the run last year, but it's worth noting that the Patriots surrendered the fifth-most receptions to running backs in 2025. With Michael Pittman Jr. (foot) seemingly on the wrong side of questionable heading into the weekend, Warren could see significant involvement as a security blanket for quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The 27-year-old profiles as a flex option, particularly in PPR formats, for fantasy purposes this week.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
