After suffering a hamstring injury during the preseason Week 2 game against the Buffalo Bills, Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren isn't certain to be ready for Week 1 of the 2024 regular season.
Warren suffered the injury in the first quarter of the Steelers' ugly 9-3 exhibition loss and, per NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, the running back is expected to be sidelined multiple weeks. Bear in mind, the start of the regular season is a little over two weeks away.
On Tuesday, head coach Mike Tomlin revealed that Warren would likely remain sidelined at practice this week, but he did add that the injury isn't considered a long-term issue. He did not say if Warren would be ready for Week 1, though.
"He is out probably out for this week, but not anything that's a long-term concern," Tomlin said, according to ESPN's Brook Pryor.
Jaylen Warren injury update
Mike Tomlin on Jaylen Warren: "He is out probably out for this week, but not anything that's a long-term concern."
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) August 20, 2024
Warren has carved out a significant role for himself in the Steelers' offense the past few years alongside Najee Harris. After tallying 105 touches in 2022, Warren had a career-high 210 in 2023. Meanwhile, Harris has seen his touches go down in that span.
The increased workload led to Warren totaling career-highs in rushing yards (784), receiving yards (370) and touchdowns (four). He also proved to be more effective on the ground than Harris, averaging 5.3 yards per carry to Harris' 4.1.
It's possible Warren sees even more work in 2024. Harris is in the final year of his rookie deal after the Steelers declined his fifth-year option and it's not crazy to think that the Steelers may want to get an extended look at Warren to see if he can be the lead guy in the event that Harris departs in free agency next offseason.
If Warren is forced to miss time, Harris should get more work. Pittsburgh also has Cordarrelle Patterson, Jonathan Ward, Aaron Shampklin, La'Mical Perine and Daijun Edwards vying for roster spots.
