RADIO
Rico Dowdle Splits First-Team Work in Preseason Debut
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rico Dowdle turned five carries into 18 rushing yards and caught his lone target for two yards in a 17-0 preseason loss to the New York Jets. While teammate Jaylen Warren took the field first with the starters, Dowdle ultimately played 10 snaps to Warren's nine and finished with one additional touch. The seventh-year pro handled the entirety of Pittsburgh's second drive before splitting work with Warren on the third possession. Dowdle is unlikely to command a workhorse role as long as Warren stays healthy, but he should still see plenty of opportunities both on the ground and through the air as a reliable pass-catching option for quarterback Aaron Rodgers. He profiles as a fantasy RB3 with upside if the Steelers' offense takes a step forward under new head coach Mike McCarthy.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Jaylen Warren Makes Preseason Debut as Steelers' Starter
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren handled five carries for 17 yards in a 17-0 preseason loss to the New York Jets. Warren, who rested alongside backfield mate Rico Dowdle in last week's preseason opener, drew the start Friday night and played nine total snaps. He and Dowdle alternated drives over Pittsburgh's first two possessions before splitting the work on the third. Neither player was particularly efficient in the contest as the Steelers struggled to run the ball all night, but it was nonetheless encouraging to see Warren get some action as the team's lead back. Fantasy managers should anticipate a relatively even split between Warren and Dowdle heading into the regular season, with a hot-hand approach potentially dictating the workload early in the year. The 27-year-old will have one more opportunity to tune up Thursday night against the Buffalo Bills.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Kaleb Johnson Sees Expanded Role in Second Preseason Game
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kaleb Johnson handled 10 carries for 39 yards and caught both of his targets for 15 yards in a 17-0 preseason loss to the New York Jets. Johnson, who was surprisingly limited to just two touches in last week's win, was featured heavily on Friday night and received the vast majority of Pittsburgh's opportunities out of the backfield. While he couldn't find much daylight, the second-year pro ran hard and showcased his ability as a pass-catcher. Johnson took over for starters Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle in the second quarter and remained involved into the early stages of the fourth. At this point, it's clear that Johnson is competing for a depth role, and potentially a roster spot, alongside fellow running backs Lew Nichols, Eli Heidenreich, and Travis Homer. His final preseason opportunity will come Thursday night against the Buffalo Bills.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Kaleb Johnson on the Roster Bubble, Unlikely to Make the Team
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kaleb Johnson is in a battle for his roster spot and could end up not making the final roster, according to The Athletic's Mike DeFabo. Johnson was the team's third-round pick just over a year ago, but he didn't make much of a positive impact as a rookie and has struggled in limited work in training camp. He only had two carries for three yards in the team's preseason game and was most notable for being yelled at on the sideline by special teams coach Danny Crossman. Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle will likely get most of the work at running back for the Steelers, with Travis Homer mixing in as a specialist. Lew Nichols seems to have passed Johnson as well, which puts Johnson in danger of being cut if he doesn't step up in the rest of the preseason. Johnson isn't a fantasy factor at this point, but his roster status is worth watching.
Source: Mike DeFabo
Source: Mike DeFabo
Rico Dowdle Still Has a Real Shot to Lead Pittsburgh's Backfield
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rico Dowdle has a real chance to come out of camp with the larger share of this backfield. He rushed for 1,076 yards and six touchdowns on 236 carries with Carolina last season, added 39 catches for 297 yards and another score, and has now cleared 1,000 rushing yards in back-to-back years. Pittsburgh did not bring him in to sit, but Jaylen Warren is not going away either. Warren is still listed first on the initial depth chart, and the Steelers have continued giving both backs first-team work. The interesting part is that Pittsburgh itself has called Warren's No. 1 designation temporary while the coaching staff sorts out the split. Both backs have been described as capable of handling every down, so this could change by game plan or even by who has the hot hand. RotoBaller has Dowdle at RB29. That's a fair spot for the uncertainty, but there is more upside here if Dowdle ends up getting the heavier side of the workload. He looks like a solid middle-round target rather than someone to fade because of the committee.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jaylen Warren a Safe Bet to Produce from His Latest Ambiguous Situation
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren has developed into one of the league's most well-rounded backs, topping 300 receiving yards in three straight seasons and 1,100 yards from scrimmage in two of three. Whether paired with a bruiser like Najee Harris or a pass-catching specialist like Kenny Gainwell, Warren has shown a knack for filling in wherever needed and often excelling while doing so. Now slated to share a backfield with a similar jack-of-all-trades in Rico Dowdle, there is an opportunity for both backs to produce in Mike McCarthy's up-tempo offense. Dowdle has rushed for 1,000 yards at each of his last two stops with the Panthers and Cowboys and has familiarity with McCarthy's system. Still, with Warren having already earned the trust of quarterback Aaron Rodgers, the incumbent could have an early advantage in any workload split, and his reliability to always do the right thing will make snaps difficult to take away. Both players represent excellent value in the middle rounds of 2026 drafts, and as the current RB27 by ADP, Warren has the opportunity to greatly outperform expectations after his RB16 finish a year ago in a not dissimilar situation.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Kaleb Johnson Gets Little Work in Preseason Opener
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kaleb Johnson handled just two carries for three yards in Thursday night's preseason win over the Green Bay Packers. Johnson, a third-round pick in last year's NFL Draft, doesn't appear to have won over Pittsburgh's new coaching staff just yet, as he didn't enter the contest until late in the third quarter. Although he was listed as the team's RB3 on the updated depth chart released earlier this week, Johnson played behind veterans Travis Homer and Lew Nichols and was out-touched by rookie running back Eli Heidenreich in the second half. Johnson could see an uptick in opportunities as the preseason continues, but it's becoming increasingly unlikely that he will have a meaningful role in the offense this season behind Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle. While he remains worth stashing in deeper dynasty formats, Johnson is off the fantasy radar for redraft purposes.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Steelers' Offense Could Continue to be a Run-First Unit
Everyone has expected the Pittsburgh Steelers' offense to be more pass-happy under new head coach Mike McCarthy, but ESPN's Ben Solak writes that it's "pretty clear out of camp that the Steelers aren't going to sprint back to the heyday" of McCarthy and quarterback Aaron Rodgers on offense. Based on conversations that Solak had while at Pittsburgh's training camp, he says he's confident that the identity of this year's Steelers offense will be similar to their identity in 2025 -- "running the ball out of heavy sets." Solak "can't get a lean" on the Jaylen Warren/Rico Dowdle backfield situation, but he's "confident both will be used enough to be playable on any given week." He thinks that Dowdle will "bite into Warren's catches more than most people realize." On the flip side, Solak believes that Warren will "bite into Dowdle's carries more than most people realize." It's good news for both Warren and Dowdle if the Steelers stay ground-based, but with a potential near-even workload split, both RBs might not have ceilings higher than RB3/flex backs in fantasy.
Source: ESPN.com - Ben Solak
Source: ESPN.com - Ben Solak
Kaleb Johnson Still Seeing Special Teams Usage
PennLive.com's Nick Farabaugh reported that Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kaleb Johnson is still getting kick return work in practice. Steelers special teams coordinator Danny Crossman said he has been pleased with Johnson's special teams play, including as a returner. Johnson will likely need to stand out on special teams to earn carries on offense. The Steelers drafted the 23-year-old in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft as a potential replacement for Najee Harris, and he quickly became a trendy sleeper in fantasy football leagues. However, Johnson was phased out of the offense and finished with 69 rushing yards on 28 carries in 10 games. There was optimism he could become a main back in his second season, but that faded after the team signed Rico Dowdle early in the offseason. Johnson will remain a dynasty stash for the foreseeable future but can be dropped if managers need extra roster space.
Source: PennLive.com - Nick Farabaugh
Source: PennLive.com - Nick Farabaugh
Steelers Offensive Coordinator Not Naming Starting Running Back
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Brian Angelichio has not named the Steelers RB1 between Rico Dowdle and Jaylen Warren, according to Nick Farabaugh of PennLive.com. Angelichio rides the fence on the running back battle as the two continue to compete for the top spot heading into the Steelers' preseason opener Thursday night against the Green Bay Packers. "They're both going to play," Angelichio said. "They're both going to be part of our success, and they can both carry the load." Warren is a holdover from the previous regime, while Dowdle signed a two-year, $12.15 million contract in free agency to reunite with head coach Mike McCarthy. Both running backs had fantasy success a season ago, but it has yet to be seen if they can coexist in the same offensive ecosystem. On paper, Dowdle profiles as the physical early-down grinder while Warren fills the pass-catching role. However, both backs have shown they can cross over into each other's roles in the past. Dowdle and Warren are both going at a discounted price in drafts currently, and it is worth taking a chance on one of the backs in 2026.
Source: PennLive.com - Nick Farabaugh
Source: PennLive.com - Nick Farabaugh
Rico Dowdle to be "Unquestioned RB1" to Begin the Season
Although the Pittsburgh Steelers listed incumbent running back Jaylen Warren as the RB1 on their first preseason depth chart on Wednesday, Steelers correspondent Mark Kaboly writes that Rico Dowdle "will be the unquestioned RB1 when the season starts." Kaboly adds that Dowdle is much more than a big, bruising RB. The 28-year-old former undrafted free agent from South Carolina also shows quickness, speed, vision, and power, which make him "more than a platoon back." There is some uncertainty as to how the backfield touches will shake out between Dowdle and Warren in new head coach Mike McCarthy's offense in 2026. McCarthy has been mum on naming a starter, and it feels like he's seeking more of a balanced approach with the two backs, which isn't what fantasy managers want to hear. Right now, RotoBaller has Dowdle and Warren ranked at No. 30 and 31, respectively, at the RB position. Dowdle is probably the safer bet after signing a two-year, $12.25 million deal in free agency with Pittsburgh, at least in standard-scoring leagues as the favorite to lead the Steelers in early-down carries. Dowdle also has plenty of momentum, reaching the 1,000-yard rushing mark in each of the last two years with the Dallas Cowboys and Carolina Panthers.
Source: Mark Kaboly
Source: Mark Kaboly
Jaylen Warren Listed as RB1 on First Preseason Depth Chart
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren is listed as the RB1 ahead of newcomer Rico Dowdle on the team's first preseason depth chart, according to Brooke Pryor of ESPN. Depth charts, especially preseason ones, must always be taken with a grain of salt. This is especially true for Pittsburgh's backfield in a new offense in 2026 under head coach Mike McCarthy, who has already been mum on naming a "starting" RB between Warren and Dowdle. The 27-year-old Warren had a career-high 958 rushing yards and six touchdowns on 211 carries in 2025 in his fourth year in the league, adding 40 receptions for 333 yards and another two TDs as a receiver in 16 regular-season games. Dowdle's arrival most likely will mean a reduction in carries for the former undrafted free agent from Oklahoma State, but Warren could make up for it with more receiving work now that pass-catching back Kenny Gainwell is in Tampa. Warren is trending as a more attractive RB3/flex target for fantasy managers in PPR leagues in 2026.
Source: ESPN.com - Brooke Pryor
Source: ESPN.com - Brooke Pryor
Mike McCarthy Declines to Name a Starting Running Back
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy spoke with the media on Tuesday, and when asked about running backs Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle, he declined to name a definitive starter, instead referring to them as a "dynamic one-two punch." He went on to say, "I don't want to have to worry about what back is in there... Both of those guys give us that flexibility." Warren led the Steelers backfield with 958 rushing yards on 211 attempts in 2025, while Dowdle, who signed a two-year deal this offseason, has topped 1,000 yards in each of his last two stops with the Panthers and Cowboys. Both backs are also capable pass-catchers, giving Pittsburgh one of the more well-rounded running back situations regardless of who is on the field. While both players are capable of outperforming their 2026 ADP, RotoBaller ranks them back to back, but gives Dowdle a narrow edge as the RB30 to Warren's RB31.
Source: Mike DeFabo
Source: Mike DeFabo
Jaylen Warren Gets More Work With First-Team Offense
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren saw more work with the first-team offense during Monday's practice, according to Nick Farabaugh. It is worth noting in a backfield expected to feature both Warren and offseason addition Rico Dowdle, though one practice does not mean the competition has shifted. Steelers running backs coach Ramon Chinyoung Sr. said this spring that the team wants to keep both backs fresh and expects the weekly split to depend on the game plan. Warren is coming off the best season of his career, rushing 211 times for 958 yards and six touchdowns while catching 40 passes for 333 yards and two scores in 16 games. He started 15 contests and finished with 1,291 yards from scrimmage. Monday's usage is encouraging for Warren's fantasy outlook, but Dowdle should remain involved after topping 1,000 rushing yards for Carolina last season. The backfield still looks likely to be shared, with future practices offering a better indication of whether Warren can separate.
Source: Nick Farabaugh
Source: Nick Farabaugh
Jaylen Warren the RB1A in Pittsburgh to Begin Training Camp
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren is "probably" the team's RB1A "for now," according to Mike DeFabo of The Athletic. Warren had his most productive season as a pro in 2025, recording 1,291 scrimmage yards and eight touchdowns on 251 touches across 16 games. However, the Steelers signed running back Rico Dowdle, who has recorded back-to-back 1,000-rushing-yard seasons, to a two-year deal in free agency. Per DeFabo, Warren has been "getting every first rep," but the Steelers are also "quickly and consistently rotating" through Warren, Dowdle, and second-year back Kaleb Johnson. While it seems likely that Warren will operate as part of a committee backfield in Pittsburgh this season, the 27-year-old still looks to be on track to be the nominal starter for the Steelers. RotoBaller currently ranks Warren as the RB31 for redraft leagues entering 2026.
Source: The Athletic - Mike DeFabo
Source: The Athletic - Mike DeFabo
