Jaylen

Warren

Warren was initially listed as doubtful for this game with a knee injury but was able to suit up anyway. However, it was clear that he was not 100 percent. He gave the Steelers good snaps as a pass protector but wasn’t able to do much as a rusher or receiver. Perhaps things will get better for him as he continues to get healthy, but Najee Harris is starting to make the most of his extra opportunities.

Warren was limited in practice on Wednesday and Thursday, but was a full participant in practice on Friday. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin called Warren “doubtful” earlier this week, but Warren is going to end up playing for the first time since suffering a knee injury in Week 3. The question of how much he might be on the field remains. It seems safe to assume Najee Harris will continue to dominate the backfield touches this week with Warren as a risky flex play in his first game back.

Warren graduated to Full Participant status on Friday after being limited through the week’s first two practices. The Steelers have played his rehabilitation conservatively thus far so it would not be surprising to see him inactive on game day. He is a volatile flex player if active.

The Steelers are bringing Warren along very slowly, which is a positive for his season-long prospects. Unless he is able to fully participate on Friday though, he appears unlikely to play against the Raiders in Week 6.

Head coach Mike Tomlin called Warren doubtful for Week 6 yesterday. Warren told reporters he feels great before returning to practice on a limited basis. It’s possible Warren is nearing a return, but the Steelers plan to give him one more week off as a precaution. Najee Harris will continue to dominate the backfield touches if Warren sits this week.

Warren is likely to be sidelined once again as he recovers from a knee injury he suffered in Week 3. It could still be a few weeks before Warren returns to the lineup, and even then, his workload could be limited. Najee Harris will continue operating as the lead back in the massively run heavy Pittsburgh offense.

The backfield will be missing two of its top three weapons for the team’s Week 5 contest against the Cowboys, leaving Najee Harris likely headed for a robust workload against one of the worst run defenses in the league. Russell Wilson will serve as the emergency quarterback.

Warren hasn’t practiced all week and will now miss his second-straight game as a result. Cordarrelle Patterson (ankle) who also wasn’t spotted at practice this week will also likely be held out — although the team has yet to formally announce that. If neither back can go, Najee Harris will be in for a busy Week 5 against the Cowboys, while former UDFA Aaron Shampklin will spell him on occasional downs. Unlike most weeks where we may consider playing the Steelers’ RB2, we would advise against putting Shampklin in fantasy lineups.

Warren was expected to miss a few weeks with his knee injury. After missing two straight practices to open this week, he’s on the verge of missing the team’s Week 5 matchup against the Cowboys. If Warren and Cordarrelle Patterson (ankle) are unable to go, backup Aaron Shampklin would spell Najee Harris, who would be in line for a busy work day against the Cowboys.

Warren seemingly tweaked his knee in Week 3 and was pulled from that game. He did not practice last week and was ruled out on Friday. He doesn’t look likely to suit up this week either. Fantasy managers can cut ties with Warren until he gets back to full strength, which may not happen for a while.