The Pittsburgh Steelers have started the season playing well and have a 3-1 record. Aaron Rodgers has been a big difference-maker at quarterback, but the defense has also been great. The good news keeps coming for the Steelers because the team should get Jaylen Warren back from his knee injury after the bye week, which was huge for the team's overall health.
When talking to the media, Mike Tomlin gave most of the team encouraging injury updates. Warren is an added piece to this offense that will make things flow better, especially with Rodgers being as old as he is. Warren was dealing with a knee injury all week leading up to their game in Dublin, so the fact that he had extra rest time was significant for his health.
Tomlin told the media that he was encouraged by all three in their recovery and that the arrow was pointing up for all of them to play this weekend.
Jaylen Warren suffered knee injuries during Pittsburgh's trip to Dublin to face the Minnesota Vikings. While trying to play, he was a last-minute scratch and was inactive due to the injury.
“Jaylen was a pregame decision. That’s why we listed him as questionable. He worked out before the game. We didn’t feel good enough,” Tomlin said. “We didn’t want to put him in a uniform, and then he wouldn’t be able to finish, and then you’re working a guy short. So, we worked him out, and that’s where we settled. Jaylen is a tough guy. He wanted to do it. I just thought it was prudent not to.”
The good news was that while Warren was out, Kenneth Gainwell took most of the snaps and had a massive game against the Vikings, scoring two touchdowns with 99 yards on 19 carries.
During the season, Warren has been solid but needs to improve. He has 132 rushing yards on 43 carries with zero touchdowns. Warren's role will be more split with Gainwell, and that should be good for him because defenses don't have to focus on him the entire time.
After the bye week, the Steelers' defense also received some good news. Alex Highsmith and Joey Porter Jr. are healthy and trending to play on Sunday against the Cleveland Browns after the extra recovery time.
