PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Steelers tailback Jaylen Warren dealt with a hamstring injury early in the season, now a knee injury left him out of the last few snaps on the Chargers game and threatens his participation Sunday in Indianapolis.
Warren was limited to three carries for five yards versus Los Angeles coming off his best game of nine carries for 42 yards against Denver. Last season the 5'8" tailback ran for career highs in yards (784), touchdowns (4), receptions (61) and receiving yards (370). He questionable at this point of the week and they will see how the practice week goes for him.
The positive news about the running backs was Najee Harris, who was seen wearing a sling on Monday. He 'will be ready to rock and roll' for the game Sunday according to Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin. Harris is the Steelers leading rusher with 209 yards this season amassing at least 1,000 yards each of his first three years.
Helping to seal the game against Los Angeles with a tough, 14-yard run on third-and-eight, first-year Steeler Cordarrelle Patterson. He would run it four times for 33 yards. Patterson started the game as more of a wide receiver, but with Warren's injury had the ability to move to running back.
"It is unique, but it is something that we covet," Tomlin said. "I got a lot of respect for CP and his talents. We had intended to use him in both (receiver and running back). That just speaks to his talents, and not only his talents, but his football intellect."
It's the 12th year in the league for Patterson, in his career he's rushed for 2,560 yards and 22 touchdowns, caught 301 passes for 2,810 yards and 16 touchdowns with 133 receptions for first downs. He also holds the NFL record with nine kickoffs returned for touchdowns and is ninth in all-time in career return yards (7,898).
Steelers are fifth in the AFC in rushing yards and tops in rushing attempts. The Colts are second-to-last in the NFL rushing defense, allowing an AFC-high 537 yards on the ground.
