Steelers Get Good News on Jaylen Warren Injury

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin ruled running back Jaylen Warren out of his team’s final preseason game against the Detroit Lions this Saturday, but said he does not expect it to be a long-term absence.

Warren suffered a hamstring injury during the team’s second preseason game of 2024 on Saturday against the Buffalo Bills. He did not participate in the team’s first practice session of the week on Tuesday, and won’t play on Saturday, but Tomlin expects him back on the field sooner rather than later.

“He’s out, probably out for this week, but not a long-term concern,” Tomlin said.

The question will be whether or not Warren will be ready for the team’s season opener in Atlanta on Sept. 8. Hamstring injuries are notorious for lingering, and also for steeply punishing those who try to come back too quickly from them.

Last season, Pat Freiermuth was practicing fully and ready to return on Oct. 16.

“I feel good,” Freiermuth said. “I’m good to go this week; excited to get back out there and play.”

Four days later, he was on the injured reserve list after a setback. He didn’t return until Nov. 19. So while the Steelers may be confident in Warren returning soon, hamstring injuries have a way of not caring who is confident.

With Warren out, it remains an open question as to who will be the primary backup for Najee Harris. Cordarrelle Patterson is mostly here for his special teams duties.

Jonathan Ward, La’Mical Perine, Aaron Shampklin and Daijun Edwards have been battling for that fourth running back job throughout training camp. Ward missed last Saturday’s game after a hamstring injury suffered in the final week of practice at St. Vincent College, but he returned to work on Tuesday.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS INJURY REPORT