Steelers Jaylen Warren satisfied with work as backup in NFL debut, preps for possible starting role

As far as NFL debuts go, it’s safe to say few undrafted rookies have had a more eventful welcome to the pros than Jaylen Warren.

While Warren’s on-field contributions to the Pittsburgh Steelers’ wild 23-20 overtime win Sunday were scant, the roller-coaster nature of the game won’t be replicated too often. And part of the unpredictable of the way things played out at Paycor Stadium was an ankle injury to Steelers starting running back Najee Harris.

That left Warren — who two weeks prior was on pins and needles waiting to see if he’d even make the team — as the featured running back over the final tense 12 minutes of game action late in the fourth quarter and overtime in Cincinnati.

“I mean (during) the week of preparation, (coaches) prepared me to be in that position,” Warren said from UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on Monday afternoon. “Anything can happen in a football game. They put me in RB2 and they expected me to step up, and when (Harris’ injury) happened, no matter what the time was, I had to go in and execute.”

Warren had played some in placed of Harris earlier in the game. He finished with 23 offensive snaps, three carries for 7 yards and no catches on one targeted throw.

Perhaps Warren was most noticeable with his blocking. His block downfield on cornerback Chidobe Awuzie after Pat Freiermuth’s 26-yard catch in overtime stood out, but Warren was spotted downfield on other gains, too — as well as in pass protection.

This how you get touches and reps.

Jaylen Warren better in pass pro than some of the guys that’s supposed to block for him. pic.twitter.com/vgFTwmdvLe

— Bryce Hayes (@nxtprodigy) September 12, 2022

“I think I really enjoy the physical part of football,” Warren said. “I think that’s why I enjoy it so much, especially when a teammate is able to score and there’s (a defender) there and I can make (an impact) in that situation, I try to do what I can to help them.”

Blocking is what will help Warren hold a role, even if Harris is healthy. But if Harris must miss Sunday’s Steelers home opener against the New England Patriots (late Monday, ESPN reported Harris “should be good to go”), Warren will be asked to perform the more traditional running back duties of carrying the ball. After having 1,441 yards from scrimmage for Oklahoma State last season, leading the Steelers in rushing during the preseason and displaying a propensity for strong running during training camp practices, Warren seems to be a natural for that role.

More Steelers news:

• Steelers brace to play on without injured star T.J. Watt
• Steelers’ Diontae Johnson unmoved by his spectacular leaping, 1-handed, toe-tap catch
• Minkah Fitzpatrick fills up the stat sheet over 104 snaps played in Steelers opening win

“I don’t think it changes anything,” Warren said of — perhaps — spending this week as the No. 1 running back. “(Steelers coaches) do a good job of preparation, preparing us, and things happen in a moment, so we don’t get, like, big-eyed or shocked when something like this happen. We just adapt.”

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