Not the greatest compliment about a players' performance ever, but given how hard Mike Tomlin can be on rookies his assessment could have been worse. So, let's reset with the entirety of what Tomlin had to say about running back Jaylen Warren.
"He didn't urinate down his leg and that's a great place to begin," Tomlin said Tuesday. "That's capable of happening for a young guy, but I think that's
been indicative of him throughout this process, and that's why he's gone from being an undrafted guy to a guy that's carving a role out for himself."
"Because at no step in team development did he show that circumstances were too big for him. He was competitive, and he's being competitive. He was on Sunday, so good for him and good for us."
Warren only ran for seven yards in the game but had a couple of solid blocks. He played in 23 snaps, which was 37% against Cincinnati. He could play a lot more against the Patriots on Sunday. Najee Harris is dealing with another foot or ankle injury and Tomlin said, even though Harris said he will play, he will have to prove himself in practice before he gets on the field.
The 5'8" rookie tailback said he thought he was where he needed to be in his NFL debut. He wasn't trying to do too much, but stayed with his keys and did a good job. Now he may be asked to start against a Bill Belichick defense.
"I don't think it changes anything," Warren said. "They do a good job in preparation, preparing us for these types of moments. We don't get big eyed or shocked, we just adapt."
Even though he had to make the team as an undrafted free agent, Warren said he has confidence in his game. That likely grew after seeing professional football through a couple of preseason games and then facing the Bengals. His teammates seem to believe as well.
"I definitely love the story," said Steelers starting guard Kevin Dotson. "I know how he works. How he helps in pass protection. The way he runs makes you want to block harder. I definitely like him; can't wait to see what he does."
Dotson added they've been around him enough in camp. He really benefitted by Harris nursing a Lisfranc injury which allowed him to earn first-team reps for the latter part of training camp. He said they run with similar styles and he believes it's a matter of time before Warren breaks one.
The 23-year-old has come a long way. A few years ago, trying to make it at a junior college because schools didn't want him. Going undrafted after a thousand-yard season at Oklahoma State and having to prove himself every minute of every practice with the Steelers. Then hiding in a corner at the team's South Side facility on cutdown day worried about being released.
This same running back could be the key to the Steelers going 2-0.
