PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Mike Tomlin said there will be an opportunity for tailback Jaylen Warren to write his own story. After the first practice to prepare for the Saints on Wednesday, Warren said he’s not sure when that will happen.
“I don’t expect nothing,” Warren said. “Whatever they want me to do, I will do. Whatever they feel is best. I will try my best not to disappoint them and help the team win.”
Warren had six carries against the Eagles and first-round pick Najee Harris had eight. Score also played into what transpired with the division of labor against Philadelphia. If Mike Tomlin decides to make him more of a feature back?
“If given, I feel like I can handle it,” Warren said of the role. He also says he knows what he was signed to do. “I understand my role on the team.”
“I don’t know what the coach’s perspective is on me. If my role increases, it would speak for itself. I’ve been the one that has had to prove his spot. That’s nothing new to me. If I got it cool, if I didn’t it is what it is. I didn’t want to look back and say I could have done more.”
The undrafted rookie said he spent the four days off working on strengthening his craft. He says he really doesn’t care what he does, it’s about finding a way to get the Steelers a win.
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Kicker returns
Also undrafted, Matthew Wright started his career with the Steelers in 2019, the kicker returns due to a groin injury to Chris Boswell. Filling in for Boswell in 2020, Wright went 4 for 4 on field goals in three games that season. He would play in 14 games with Jacksonville in 2021 making 21 of 24 field goals and this year activated for the Chiefs making 3 of 4 including a 59-yarder.
It’s that leg strength to kick a 59-yarder that distinguishes the 2022 Wright from that rookie from Central Florida.
“Gained weight, focused on it,” Wright said of how he gained distance. “Really put in a lot of effort to be more explosive. Everything I could do to get more explosive. Everything I do to try and get stronger.”
That included plyometrics, lifting heavier weight and the easiest way to gain pounds-he ate more food.
Wright said he’s comfortable being back with the Steelers and is still seeking advice from Boswell. He calls him one of the best to ever do it. The 26-year-old says that combined with his experience kicking in the NFL has made him better than ever. He’s not going to overcomplicate this opportunity as an injury fill-in.
“Anytime I get to kick the ball I’m happy,” Wright said. “Just go out there, do what I do best and try to put the ball through the uprights. That’s all I can really focus on.”
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Quote of Wednesday
Receiver Diontae Johnson asked how they get the 2-6 season turned around.
“One thing at a time, you can’t try to fix everything at once,” Johnson said. “All of that is going to come. The more you press, the more you are going to continue to do the same mistakes.
Really, going out there, being relaxed, knowing your assignments and just playing comfortable.”
“You do that, you minimize the mistakes.”