Jaylen Warren Injury Update
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren tweaked his ankle in the third quarter of last Sunday's dominant 34-12 win over the Cincinnati Bengals, raising eyebrows for fantasy owners and fans alike. Before exiting, Warren was electric, rushing for 62 yards on just 10 carries (6.2 yards per pop) and snagging two catches for five yards. He even returned briefly after the initial hit, but the team wisely pulled him to protect their key back with a packed schedule ahead.
Jesse Morse, M.D. (@DrJesseMorse) shared on X that Jaylen Warren is dealing with an ankle injury.
Post-game, Warren downplayed the severity himself: "I could have (returned), but it was part of being smart. We got a lot of games ahead of us, so they're looking out for me." Backup Kenneth Gainwell stepped up big in his place, exploding for 105 rushing yards, seven receptions, 81 receiving yards, and two touchdowns, proving Pittsburgh's backfield depth but underscoring how much they miss Warren's explosive style when he's sidelined.
Fast-forward to Tuesday's presser: Head coach Mike Tomlin dropped the most encouraging update yet, calling himself "optimistic" about Warren suiting up for this Sunday's crucial road tilt against the 7-3 Chicago Bears.
Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) reported on X that Mike Tomlin said Jaylen Warren's ankle injury will limit him in early practice this week, but he's optimistic about his availability for Sunday, with Darius Slay (concussion) expected back and Alex Highsmith (pec) limited.
Warren's set to be limited in Wednesday's practice opener as a precaution, but Tomlin's vibe suggests he'll ramp up quickly. To dodge an injury designation, Warren likely needs full participation by Friday standard protocol for a guy who's been durable all season.
No imaging or long-term red flags mentioned; this feels more like a maintenance tweak than a major scare.
For fantasy managers, this is a prime "monitor closely" spot. If Warren's good to go, expect him to reclaim 15-18 touches in a committee with Gainwell, especially against a Bears run D that's allowed 4.8 yards per carry lately. He's a solid RB2 play with upside if Pittsburgh leans on the ground game to ease any QB drama (Aaron Rodgers' wrist is another wrinkle, but unrelated).
Steelers sit at 6-4, chasing the AFC North crown, and Warren's burst (averaging 5.1 yards per carry this year) is vital for their playoff push. No further setbacks reported as of Wednesday morning fingers crossed for green lights all week. If he misses, Gainwell could feast again, but Warren's track record says he'll bounce back strong.
Disclaimer
This article provides the latest updates on Jaylen Warren’s injury for informational purposes only. All team news, player statuses, and fantasy projections are subject to change. Always consult official sources for final decisions. The Pittsburgh Steelers and NFL trademarks belong to their respective owners. Use this content at your own discretion.
