Steelers RB Jaylen Warren ran 15 times for 101 yards (6.7 yards per carry) and a TD in Sunday’s 34-22 win over the Colts. He added 6 catches on 6 targets for 87 yards and another TD, highlighted by an 80-yard score. That totaled 188 scrimmage yards and 36.8 PPR points, one of the top RBs for the week. His longest run went for 50 yards. With Rico Dowdle out, Warren again dominated the backfield snaps, while Lew Nichols got just 1 carry.
2026 Fantasy Football Impact: Warren Remains a Bellcow Without Dowdle
Warren had been productive all season without the scores to show for it. He entered the week with 55 carries for 309 yards (5.6 per carry) and 13 catches for 143 yards, but 0 TDs on either. Sunday doubled down on both fronts: 2 TDs and a season-best 188 scrimmage yards. He topped his 77.3 rushing yards per game, and his 87 receiving yards were more than half of his season total coming in. This was his third straight week dominating snaps with Dowdle sidelined by a toe injury. Indianapolis entered ranked 13th in PPR points allowed to RBs (22.1 per game) and 29th in our run defense power rankings.
Pittsburgh visits the Buccaneers in Week 6, then hosts the Saints and Browns. Tampa Bay is the toughest spot, ranking 21st in PPR points allowed to RBs (19.3 per game) and 1st in our run defense power rankings. New Orleans is a smash matchup, allowing the most RB points in the league (29.7) and ranking 32nd in our run defense power rankings. Cleveland allows the 7th-fewest RB points (16.4) but ranks 27th in our run defense power rankings.
The main problem for Warren managers is the return of Rico Dowdle. He was questionable entering the Colts game but was inactive. That means there is a good chance Dowdle returns next week. OC Brian Angelicho commented this week that Warren and Dowdle will go back to being a one-two punch when Dowdle returns. That may hurt Warren’s fantasy appeal as an RB1.
