Steelers Receive Terrible RB Injury Update for Week 5: Report

Steelers Face Major Injury Challenges Ahead of Week 5 Matchup

The Pittsburgh Steelers are gearing up for their Week 5 clash against the Dallas Cowboys, but they will be doing so without two key running backs:

Jaylen Warren and Cordarrelle Patterson. This news, reported by Steelers insider

Mark Kaboly on October 4, confirms the team will be significantly shorthanded as they take on their longstanding NFC rivals.

Various national and local NFL reporters echoed this information around the same time, highlighting the severity of the situation.

Warren has been nursing a knee injury sustained during the Week 3 game against the Los Angeles Chargers.

He did not see action in the following match against the Indianapolis Colts. Patterson, on the other hand, exited the Colts game due to an ankle injury.

With both players ruled out, Najee Harris and Aaron Shampklin are left as the only running backs available from the active roster for Sunday Night Football.

While Harris remains the starter, the absence of Warren and Patterson poses a considerable challenge for the Steelers’ offense.

Last season, Warren was a vital contributor, averaging an impressive 5.3 yards per carry and making 61 receptions.

His total of 1,154 yards from scrimmage nearly matched that of top wideout George Pickens, with only Harris exceeding Warren’s output among Steelers players.

Losing Patterson also affects special teams, as he has been a reliable kick returner and had shown promise as a runner, recording 43 yards on just six carries against the Colts.

With both Warren and Patterson sidelined, Harris will likely have to shoulder the majority of the workload in the backfield.

This isn’t new territory for him; during his rookie season, he played approximately 84% of Pittsburgh’s offensive snaps and was on the field for all snaps in multiple games in 2021.

His capacity to handle a heavy load will be crucial against the Cowboys.

The Steelers recently elevated Shampklin to the active roster, providing them with another option alongside Harris.

However, Shampklin’s NFL experience is minimal; he has only participated in one game thus far, where he managed just one carry for five yards.

Additionally, the team could look to bolster their depth by promoting either La’Mical Perine or Jonathan Ward from the practice squad, both of whom bring veteran experience.

On the defensive side, the Steelers will also be missing key players. Alex Highsmith, their second-string edge rusher, has been ruled out for the matchup, as reported by Joe Rutter of TribLive.com. He is set to miss his second consecutive game due to a groin injury. In Highsmith’s absence, Nick Herbig stepped into the starting role but is also dealing with an ankle injury and has been limited in practice leading up to the game.

Furthermore, tight end MyCole Pruitt will not be available for the contest, further complicating the Steelers’ game plan. The only encouraging news on the injury front is regarding veteran left guard Isaac Seumalo, who has fully practiced and is poised to make his season debut.

The Steelers are set to kick off against the Cowboys at 8:20 PM ET at Acrisure Stadium, and the team will need to overcome these significant injuries if they hope to secure a victory. As the game approaches, the pressure mounts for the remaining players to rise to the occasion and fill the void left by their injured teammates.

Dave Holcomb, a seasoned sports reporter with a focus on the NFL and MLB, continues to cover the latest developments for the Pittsburgh Steelers, bringing insights to fans and followers alike.