Steelers Now
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren will not play against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday morning.
Warren has been dealing with a knee injury all week, and was limited in the team’s practice sessions in both Pittsburgh and Dublin, Ireland. Though listed as questionable, Warren was expected to suit up, and took early warmups at Croke Park before being declared inactive.
Kenneth Gainwell should be expected to start at running back, with rookie Kaleb Johnson and veteran backup Trey Sermon also options.
Losing Warren will be a huge blow for the Steelers’ offense. The versatile back has been Pittsburgh’s top offensive weapon by far, leading the team in both rushing (132 yards) and receiving (142 yards) through three games.
Gainwell has 55 yards on 16 carries, while Johnson, the team’s third-round pick out of Iowa in this spring’s NFL Draft, has -1 yard on two rushes. Sermon does not have a carry this season and has played exclusively on special teams.
An undrafted free agent in 2022, Warren has proven to be a reliable part of the Steelers offense when called upon over his first three seasons, served as an effective change of pace to starter Najee Harris. With Harris allowed to leave in free agency this offseason, the Steelers handed the starting reins to Warren — along with a contract extension — but now he will miss a game for the fourth time in his career.
In addition to Warren, cornerback Joey Porter Jr., who was listed as questionable with a hamstring injury, is also inactive, while tight end Jonnu Smith, who was questionable with a hip injury, will play.
OLB Alex Highsmith (ankle)
RB Jaylen Warren (knee)
CB Joey Porter Jr. (hamstring)
OL Andrus Peat
DL Esezi Otomewo
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Steelers RB Jaylen Warren Unexpectedly Inactive vs. Vikings with Injury
