We have an update on Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren after he exited the preseason Week 2 game against the Buffalo Bills early due to a hamstring injury.
According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, Warren is set to miss "multiple weeks" with his hamstring injury. This now leaves the running back's Week 1 status up in the air, although it remains unclear exactly how many weeks he'll miss.
Warren is coming off a 2023 season in which he tallied career-highs in rushing yards (784), receiving yards (370) and touchdowns (four). He is set to play a big role in Pittsburgh's offense in 2024, sharing a backfield with fellow rusher Najee Harris.
If Warren is forced to miss time, that will likely mean a bigger workload for Harris until the former undrafted free agent returns. Harris has been the lead back for three years now, but Warren has had a sizeable role in the offense the past two years, and especially in 2023, when he had over 200 touches.
The Steelers also have Jonathan Ward, La'Mical Perine, Daijun Edwards, Aaron Shampklin and Cordarrelle Patterson vying for spots and roles on the roster. Ward is currently dealing with a hamstring injury, also, and Patterson just returned from his own injury.
Pittsburgh lost two other players on Saturday night on top of Warren. Cornerback Anthony Verrett (hamstring) and linebacker Payton Wilson (concussion) exited early, as well. Head coach Mike Tomlin also revealed that cornerback Beanie Bishop (undisclosed) was banged-up after he didn't play in the exhibition contest.
Warren will have three weeks to get right before the regular-season opener. The Steelers have one more preseason game on Saturday, Aug. 24, against the Detroit Lions, Two weeks after that is their Week 1 game against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, Sept. 8.