McCarthy gives little to no injury information beyond the required weekly practice reports.
Dowdle will presumably appear on the report, and may even need a week before returning to the lineup. But day-to-day is at least better than week-to-week, for sure. It sounds like he will avoid a trip to IR. Dowdle was the first running back on the field Sunday against the New England Patriots. Jaylen Warren has outgained him 150-65 in scrimmage yards, but the offense has struggled overall, especially on the ground. Dowdle’s injury could create an opportunity for Warren to see an even larger workload. Before the injury, Dowdle played about 50 percent of the team’s total offensive snaps despite nine fewer touches than Warren. It also may create additional opportunities for Travis Homer, who would need to be elevated from the practice squad, or Eli Heidenreich
Dowdle was the clear leader in snaps, but Jaylen Warren started and had the most carries. The Steelers lost Kenny Gainwell in free agency and replaced him with Dowdle, who has extensive experience with new head coach Mike McCarthy from their time together with the Dallas Cowboys. Both Dowdle and Warren have played as an early-down back and experience as a third-down back. Warren started the game, taking the first and third drives while Dowdle handled the second and fourth. Both running backs received snaps on each of the following three possessions. Dowdle took the eighth drive, Warren the ninth. The Steelers only passed on the 10th and 11th drives, and Dowdle was the running back for both. Dowdle also took most of the snaps on the 12th and 13th sequences, with Eli Heidenreich only joining for kneel-downs.
Unlock full player intel
Go beyond the surface with trusted beat-writer insight on every player.
