Steelers fans receive encouraging news concerning injured running back

Now that the 2024 preseason is in the books, the Pittsburgh Steelers have a week off before they gear up to take on the Falcons in Atlanta in their season opener. They need all the time they can get.

Mike Tomlin's team didn't exit the preseason unscathed. Multiple players went down with injuries over the past three weeks. Running back Jaylen Warren was among them.

Warren sustained a hamstring injury after playing just nine snaps against the Buffalo Bills in Pittsburgh's second preseason game. This forced him to miss the preseason finale, and some speculated that his injury could linger into the start of the season.

Fortunately, that won't be the case.

On August 26, one before the NFL cut-down date, Warren spoke to the media. The third-year running back explained that his hamstring is feeling much better and that he expected to play in Week 1 against the Falcons, Nick Farabaugh of PennLive reports.

Warren wasn't just 'talking the talk'; he 'walked the walk'. The impressive running back was seen practicing with his team on August 26.

With the Steelers' first game not coming until September 8, Warren has more than enough time to be a full-go by Week 1, barring an unforeseen setback. This is encouraging news for Steelers fans.

Steelers will be (mostly) full strength against the Falcons in Week 1

The Pittsburgh Steelers lost center Nate Herbig for the season with a shoulder injury, but they are fortunate that nearly every other notable player should be able to suit up. In addition to Warren missing time, first-round pick Troy Fautanu and third-round pick Roman Wilson have been absent for weeks as they work their way back to the field.

Now it looks like the Steelers could be trending toward having every notable player available at their disposal for the season opener. For a team that will live and die by the success of the rushing attack, Warren's presence is a must. The Oklahoma State State product has been the most efficient running back on the team in back-to-back seasons.

In 2024, Warren gashed defenses for 5.3 yards per carry while also finishing third in yards before contact, first broken tackle percentage, and first in evasion percentage among all running backs with at least 100 carries.

While Najee Harris is the hammer who churns his legs for extra yardage between the tackles, Warren is a well-balanced running back with a remarkable blend of quickness, contact balance, burst, and ball carrier vision. For Arthur Smith's wide zone offense to excel, they are going to need Warren to see the field often.

With a brutal schedule in 2024, the Pittsburgh Steelers can't afford to get off to a slow start. Jaylen Warren's presence on the field will be a welcome sight against the Falcons in Week 1.