The Pittsburgh Steelers are back on top after their strong victory over the Indianapolis Colts, 34-22. Head coach Mike McCarthy and quarterback Aaron Rodgers are cooking again, and that's all good news for the Terrible Towel crew.
But McCarthy has a big decision to make when Rico Dowdle gets back. Things are going extremely well with Jaylen Warren in Dowdle's absence, and it makes one think this team has to find a way to keep Warren on the field as much as possible.
It's something ESPN points out in a piece released on Monday looking at Week 5 games. In it, they ask, "How will the Steelers use RB Rico Dowdle when he returns?"
Jaylen Warren is making a strong case for more playing time
As ESPN reporter Brooke Pryor points out, McCarthy has made it clear that "he wants a two-back system."
"But during Dowdle's three-game injury absence, Jaylen Warren has exploded as the team's lead back," she notes, adding that he's led the Steelers in rushing with 15 carries and 101 yards and receiving with six catches and 87 yards against the Colts.
"Warren has played nearly every offensive snap for Pittsburgh over the past three weeks, averaging 6.9 yards per carry and totaling 142 scrimmage yards after contact," she adds. "McCarthy wants a balanced workload for his running backs, partly to preserve them for later in the season, but Warren is making a convincing case to stay on the field."
There's no question that the Steelers will want Dowdle back on the field when he's better. But they're going to want Warren, too, and that's worth highlighting.
