The Pittsburgh Steelers have lost consecutive games by three points, putting a pair of blemishes on a record that was perfect through three games.
Reinforcements are on the way, though, as Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin provided positive news on a couple of important members of the offense.
Here’s everything we know about the quarterback Russell Wilson and running back Jaylen Warren in advance of Pittsburgh’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday.
The Latest on Jaylen Warren’s Knee Injury Heading Into Week 6
The lightning to Najee Harris’ thunder is set to return.
Warren participated in each of the Steelers’ three practices this week, including on Thursday and Friday as a full participant, and he carries no game designation on the team’s injury report heading into the weekend.
Reporters captured video of Warren looking particularly spry in the parts of practice made available to media.
#Steelers RB Jaylen Warren not looking particularly doubtful here. pic.twitter.com/hKsjXelxi2
— Alan Saunders (@ASaunders_PGH) October 10, 2024
This is quite a positive development for Pittsburgh considering Tomlin characterized Warren as doubtful earlier in the week.
“He was a full participant today,” Tomlin told reporters on Friday. “Good trajectory on the upswing. Feeling optimistic about his inclusion. He’s listed as questionable.”
Warren, who has missed each of the last two games with a knee injury that caused Tomlin to pull him from the Week 3 game against the Los Angeles Chargers, practiced each day this week and appears ready to suit up again this Sunday.
The Steelers remain committed to running the ball, but they’ve lacked explosiveness without Warren. Harris, the team’s starter, gives Pittsburgh a physical presence, but he’s averaging only 3.3 yards per carry and hasn’t found the end zone. Warren has played only sparingly this season because of injury, but the 25-year-old averages 5.1 yards per carry for his career and is also an option as a pass catcher out of the backfield.
Warren’s return to the lineup is important for another reason, too. With Warren sidelined, veteran Cordarrelle Patterson saw extra work on offense. But he is also dealing with an injury and has already been ruled out by Tomlin for Sunday’s game in Las Vegas.
Fantasy Football Implications of Warren’s Return
As Warren returns to the Steelers lineup on Sunday, fantasy football managers will have an interesting decision to make. Warren doesn’t see the snap share or number of carries to be a bona fide RB1, but he is the team’s most explosive option at running back and a capable pass catcher.
The Raiders rank 26th in the NFL in yards per carry allowed (4.9) and in defensive rush success rate (58.1%). Last week against Denver, the Raiders gave up eight catches for 53 yards to running backs, including five receptions for 50 yards to starter Javonte Williams.
While it’d be inadvisable to lean on Warren as a starting running back, fantasy managers could certainly consider him as a Flex player.
Russell Wilson Named Steelers No. 2 Quarterback for Week 6
Another development out of Steelers’ camp is less significant for Sunday but could lead to larger implications for the team’s offense moving forward.
Tomlin indicated on Friday that Wilson will be the team’s backup quarterback this Sunday against the Raiders.
Mike Tomlin. Russell Wilson is the backup. Jaylen Warren looking good #Steelers pic.twitter.com/CnIuSSSezB
— 93.7 The Fan (@937theFan) October 11, 2024
It was thought that Wilson would be the team’s starter for 2024, but a calf injury popped up right before the start of the regular season and Justin Fields took over. Behind solid play from Fields, not to mention outstanding play from the defense, the Steelers got off to a 3-0 start.
Wilson has been listed as a limited participant for every Steelers practice since the calf injury began. This week, though, he was a full participant every day. The improvement in Wilson’s health plus the promotion to the active roster as the No. 2 quarterback would give Pittsburgh a better situation at quarterback.
If Fields’ play slips, it would also give the Steelers another option under center.