‘Our Featured Player Right Now’: Mike McCarthy Raves About Jaylen Warren

PITTSBURGH — If it wasn’t obvious already, Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy confirmed during his Monday press conference that Jaylen Warren is the team’s No. 1 running back.

“Jaylen [Warren] is our featured player right now. Let’s be sure we all recognize that. He’s hot,” McCarthy said.

Warren has been on a tear over the last three games. He joined Kenneth Walker, Derrick Henry and Bijan Robinson as the last four players to have three consecutive 125+ yard games. Warren has had 176, 126, and 188 yards from scrimmage in the last three games.

On Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts, Warren became the first player in Steelers history with a 50+ yard receiving and rushing touchdown in the same game.

Warren is the first NFL player to have an 80-yard TD reception and a 50-yard rushing TD in the same game since Herschel Walker did it for the Dallas Cowboys against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 15, 1986.

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Pittsburgh Steelers Jaylen Warren celebrates a 50-yard touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now

In Dowdle’s absence versus the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 3, Warren shined with 176 yards from scrimmage, including 127 rushing yards on 17 carries.

Rico Dowdle has missed the last three games with a toe injury.

Warren followed with 126 total yards from scrimmage against Cleveland (93 yards rushing, 33 receiving yards).

When given volume, Warren routinely ranks near the top of the NFL in yards created per touch, forced missed tackles, and yards after contact.

And while critics and analysts note that at 5-foot-8 and 215 pounds, his violent running style can lead to a heavy physical toll, his versatility, warrior mindset, and his focus on taking care of his body should bode well for him and the Steelers until Dowdle can fully recover and rejoin the team.

Warren has proved that he’s RB1, however. And the best player on the Steelers’ offense.

Alan Saunders provided reporting from Pittsburgh.