Steelers RB Jaylen Warren, return man Ke’Shawn Williams leave game with injuries

Aaron Rodgers wasn’t the only Pittsburgh Steelers starter to fail to complete Sunday’s victory against the Cincinnati Bengals because of injury.

Running back Jaylen Warren suffered an ankle injury during the third quarter, and return man Ke’Shawn Williams an apparent concussion during the first quarter. Neither played after that, although Warren stepped onto the field for an aborted snap that never happened because the Steelers called a timeout.

Warren did not take the field the remainder of the game.

“I could have (played), but it was part of being smart,” Warren said. “We’ve got lot games ahead of us. (Steelers coaches) were looking out for me.”

Coach Mike Tomlin after the game did not provide any substantive update on the condition of Warren or Williams.

Warren finished with a team-high 62 rushing yards on 10 carries in addition to two catches for 5 yards. The Steelers’ other veteran running back, Kenneth Gainwell, led the team with 105 yards from scrimmage. He handled the bulk of the running back snaps after Warren departed, though rookie Kaleb Johnson also played.

Calvin Austin III re-assumed the punt return role after Williams — an undrafted rookie — was ruled out. Austin had been the Steelers’ primary punt returner since 2023 until a shoulder injury earlier this season. When Austin returned to the lineup, Williams held on to the returner job (he returned kickoffs, too).

Gainwell and D’Shawn Jamison were back for kickoff returns the rest of the game Sunday.

Rodgers, the Steelers’ 41-year-old quarterback, did not play in the second half because of a wrist injury.