The Pittsburgh Steelers received unwelcome news just hours before their critical Monday night showdown against the Miami Dolphins. Running back Jaylen Warren appeared on the team’s injury report as a late addition due to an undisclosed illness, casting doubt on his availability for a game that could shape the AFC North race.
Warren’s questionable status creates uncertainty for a Pittsburgh offense that already ranks among the league’s most underwhelming units. The Steelers need a victory to maintain their one-game cushion over the Baltimore Ravens in the division standings, making any disruption to their game plan particularly concerning.
The timing couldn’t be worse for Pittsburgh, which faces a Miami defense that has struggled against the run all season. The Dolphins are allowing 4.8 yards per carry, ranking 28th in the NFL in that category. Warren’s potential absence means the Steelers might miss an opportunity to exploit one of their opponent’s clearest weaknesses.
A disappointing season gets worse
Missing Week 15 would mark another frustrating chapter in what has been a challenging year for the fourth-year tailback. The 2025 season represented Warren’s first opportunity to serve as Pittsburgh’s top running back after Najee Harris departed the franchise during the offseason.
Warren earned more touches in his expanded role but produced less with them. His 4.1 yards per carry represents a career low, raising questions about whether he was ready for the increased workload or whether Pittsburgh’s offensive infrastructure simply cannot support productive rushing attacks.
The offensive line ahead of Warren and the play calling behind him shoulder much of the blame for his struggles. Despite the disappointing raw numbers, Warren is averaging 0.5 rushing yards over expected per attempt, ranking 22nd out of 49 qualified runners this fall. This metric suggests he’s performing reasonably well given the blocking and scheme limitations, even if his overall yardage total of 29th among qualifiers tells a different story.
Warren has compensated for some lost rushing value with improved efficiency in the passing game. His nearly eight yards per target represents a career high, demonstrating his versatility and ability to contribute even when traditional rushing lanes don’t materialize.
Backup options create uncertainty
If Warren cannot suit up Monday night, veteran Kenneth Gainwell would likely assume the primary ball-carrying responsibilities. Gainwell has delivered impressive performances in stretches when Warren was either injured or limited throughout the season.
The veteran running back has posted three games exceeding 100 total yards this season, including two during Pittsburgh’s last four contests. Those productive outings came against the Cincinnati Bengals, ranked 30th in run stop efficiency in 2025, and the Chicago Bears, who rank 20th in that category.
However, Miami’s 14th-ranked run defense presents a stiffer challenge than either Cincinnati or Chicago, even though the Dolphins are surrendering nearly five yards per touch this fall. Gainwell would need to elevate his game against a more capable front seven than the defenses he dominated in recent weeks.
The Steelers’ coaching staff faces difficult decisions about how aggressively to feature Gainwell if Warren cannot play. Leaning too heavily on an unproven backup in a crucial division race game carries risk, but Pittsburgh’s passing game has shown limited ability to carry the offense independently.
Stakes couldn’t be higher
Monday night’s matchup carries enormous implications for Pittsburgh’s playoff positioning. The Steelers entered the week clinging to a narrow advantage over Baltimore in the AFC North standings, with every remaining game taking on playoff-caliber importance.
Losing to Miami would tighten the division race considerably and potentially force Pittsburgh into wild card positioning rather than hosting a playoff game. The Steelers built their one-game lead through defensive excellence and methodical offensive execution, not explosive playmaking that can overcome injuries to key contributors.
Warren‘s status will likely remain uncertain until shortly before kickoff, leaving Pittsburgh’s coaching staff preparing contingency plans for multiple scenarios.
Source: For The Win