Jaylen Warren is one of the great success stories in the modern NFL. The undrafted free agent out of Oklahoma State in 2022 wasn't guaranteed to make Pittsburgh's roster in his first season. However, he was a focal point of the offense over the past two years and one of the most efficient running backs in the league.
Unfortunately, for reasons out of his control, Warren can't be counted on. When healthy, Warren is an electrifying battering ram who can gash opposing defenses on the ground or through the air. But staying healthy has been a chore, and 2024 hasn't gone according to plan.
Warren dealt with a hamstring injury that held him out of preseason action before sustaining a knee injury that caused him to miss Weeks 4-5 this season. When he has been on the field, the talented running back hasn't been the same.
Now, as the Steelers gear up for an all-important game against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 11, Warren won't be able to help lead his team to success. The third-year running back popped up on the Steelers injury report with a back issue that caused him to miss practice on Thursday and Friday.
#Steelers RB Jaylen Warren (back) watches while his teammates run a ball security drill. Looks like he’s out vs. #Ravens. pic.twitter.com/boDpcbva0B
— Alan Saunders (@ASaunders_PGH) November 15, 2024
Injuries will prevent Jaylen Warren from carrying the load for Steelers
When Jaylen Warren and Najee Harris are both healthy, there's a legitimate conversation to be had about which running back should be leading the charge for the Steelers. But Najee possesses one trait Warren does not: the ability to stay healthy.
There's some truth to the saying, 'The best ability is availability.' Because Warren is constantly getting banged up, he can't be counted on to lead the Steelers on a game-by-game (or even a down-by-down) basis.
Now the gifted running back is seeing the worst season of of his three-year career. Trying to play through bumps, bruises, and soft tissue injuries, Warren is seeing a career low in yards per attempt (3.9) and run success rate (40.0 percent).
Following the 2023 season, the future at running back looked clear: Jaylen Warren would be the answer this team would turn to on a new contract. Warren was significantly more efficient than Harris over the past two seasons with far fewer carries under his belt.
Sadly, even with a much smaller workload, Warren has proven he can't go long without getting banged up. Unless things change drastically in the second half of the season and he can go the rest of the way without getting injured, the fan-favorite running back will never be the lead running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers.