On Monday, many feared the Steelers (3-0) could be without their top two running backs, Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren, for their Week 4 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts (1-2).
Warren was pulled from Pittsburgh’s 20-10 win over the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 3 after head coach Mike Tomlin noticed he wasn’t “running smoothly.”
The next day, Harris was seen wearing a sling in the locker room.
However, Tomlin put some of those fears to rest on Tuesday, confirming Harris would be fine.
“No limitations for ‘Naj,’ Tomlin said. “‘Naj’ will be ready to rock and roll.”
Warren’s status heading into Week 4 is more uncertain, but Tomlin notes that his toughness will prevent him from being sidelined for too long.
“He was limping in-game. In the latter part of the game I kind of noticed it, and I pulled him from the game because I know Jaylen’s tough. He’s just going to go,” Tomlin added. “We’ll see where his availability is as we work this week. I’d imagine he would be somewhat limited tomorrow. And we’ll see the trajectory of it in terms of including him or not in planning.”
All in all, it’s excellent news for the Steelers.
Harris and Warren are a big reason Pittsburgh is still undefeated. They have rushed for a combined 263 yards through the first three games of the season and have 12 catches for 58 yards.
It’s not difficult to imagine the Steelers relying on their run game again this week, as the Colts have allowed the second-most rushing yards per game (179) in the league.
If Warren cannot go come Sunday, Pittsburgh is confident it will be fine with the “positionless” Cordarrelle Patterson serving as Harris’ backup.
He had four carries for 33 yards (8.3 yards per carry) in relief of Warren last weekend, and Tomlin says it hasn’t gone unnoticed.
“I have a lot of respect for ‘CP’ and his talents. We had intended to utilize him in both [running back and wide receiver],” Tomlin concluded. “That speaks to his talents. Not only his talents, but his football intellect to be able to carry a menu like that. He’s exciting in that way.”
The Steelers have the second-most rushing attempts in the NFL (108). Don’t expect that to change even if they miss a piece of their dynamic running back duo this week.
All quotations obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.
