The Pittsburgh Steelers are set to have Rico Dowdle return to play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 6 on Sunday after the running back suffered a toe injury in the team's Week 2 loss to the New England Patriots. Dowdle's return created a decision for the Steelers' coaching staff, as Jaylen Warren has been electric in the last three weeks. He's gained over 100-plus scrimmage yards in the last three games.
In the Steelers' 34-22 win over the Indianapolis Colts, Warren gained 101 yards and one touchdown on 15 carries while catching six passes for 87 yards and a score. Per ESPN's Brooke Pryor, the Steelers will feature Warren as the primary back against Tampa Bay. He only trails Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs and Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson in yards from scrimmage with 640 yards.
Those running backs received nice paydays before the season. More News: Exclusive: Breakout NFL Executives Who Could Become Future General Managers More News: 4 QBs Generating Serious Trade Buzz Weeks Before NFL Regular Season Starts Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy wants to ride with the hot hand. "Jaylen's our featured player right now," McCarthy said earlier this week.
"Let's make sure we all recognize that he's hot, he's playing great football for us. So it's important for us to, as an offense, coaches and players alike, to continue to put him in position to make plays." The Steelers were expected to alternate between featuring Warren and Dowdle when they signed the latter to a two-year deal worth $12.25 million this offseason. Dowdle and McCarthy worked together with the Dallas Cowboys.
Warren is averaging 5.9 yards per rush through five games this season. Before the injury, Dowdle was averaging 2.5 yards per rush, gaining 37 yards on 15 carries. He caught four passes for 28 yards.
The addition of Dowdle should help to keep Warren's legs fresh, and he could become even more dangerous in the later stages of Sunday's game against Tampa Bay. or more on the Steelers and the NFL, head to Newsweek Sports.
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