Warren is likely headed for a backfield timeshare in 2026, as Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports Friday that the team has signed Rico Dowdle to a two-year contract.

EDGE Analysis

Warren worked in a backfield timeshare with Kenneth Gainwell in 2025, with the former turning 251 touches into 1,291 scrimmage yards in the regular season while the latter racked up 1,023 scrimmage yards on 187 touches. Gainwell signed a two-year, $14 million contract in free agency with the Buccaneers, while Pittsburgh has brought in Dowdle to replace him on a two-year, $12.25 million contract. Dowdle is coming off consecutive seasons with at least 1,076 rushing yards and runs with more power than Warren or Gainwell, but Warren's likely to see the majority of playing time in passing situations while possibly rotating with Dowdle on early downs.

Warren rushed 12 times for 43 yards and brought in his only target for four yards in the Steelers' 30-6 wild-card loss to the Texans on Monday night.

EDGE Analysis

Warren doubled up backfield mate Kenneth Gainwell in carries while outgaining him by 23 rushing yards. Despite a modest night against the elite Texans defense, the versatile Warren finished the 2025 regular season having posted career highs in rush attempts (211), rushing yards (958) and rushing touchdowns (six) while adding a 40-333-2 line on 45 targets, 205 kickoff-return yards and one fumble that stayed with Pittsburgh across 16 games. Warren is under contract through the 2027 season and should once again play a prominent role in the ground attack next season.

Warren (illness) practiced without limitations Friday, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Warren missed Thursday's practice due to an illness, but his return to full participation Friday assuages any concerns about his availability for Monday's wild-card home game against the Texans. He's set to split backfield duties with Kenneth Gainwell against the stout Houston defense, which allowed the fourth-fewest rushing yards to running backs in the regular season.

Warren (illness) didn't practice Thursday, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

With a 'DNP' to start the practice week, Warren's status now merits monitoring in advance of Monday night's playoff opener against the Texans. The running back has two more chances to practice before the Steelers assign game designations for that contest Saturday.

Warren rushed 14 times for 66 yards while bringing in all five of his targets for 33 yards in Sunday's 26-24 win over the Ravens.

EDGE Analysis

Warren continued to pace Pittsburgh's backfield in carries and yardage while RB Kenneth Gainwell poached a short rushing TD while leading the team in receiving (8-64-0). The 26-year-old Warren handled his first season as the team's starter adequately, producing a career-best 211-958-6 rushing line across 16 regular-season starts. Warren and Gainwell figure to continue complementing each other in a tandem effort against Houston's vaunted defense next Monday for the wild-card round of the playoffs.

Warren rushed the ball 12 times for 64 yards in Sunday's 13-6 loss to the Browns.

EDGE Analysis

The Steelers' backfield usage remained consistent from the last few weeks, with Warren serving as the primary rusher but losing out on opportunities as a pass catcher. He managed to make the most of his opportunity with long rushes of 15 and 13 yards, and his 5.3 yards per attempt marked one of his more efficient performances of the season. However, given the split backfield in Pittsburgh, Warren is reliant on finding the end zone to have a strong fantasy performance. He has a good chance of recording double-digit carries in a win-or-go-home matchup with the Ravens in Week 18.

Warren (hip) practiced fully Thursday, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Warren was limited at practice Wednesday, but the running back's return to a full listing a day later paves the way for him to maintain his key role in Pittsburgh's backfield Sunday against the Browns. In the Steelers' win over the Lions in Week 16, Warren was on the field for 49 percent of his team's offensive snaps, while working alongside fellow RB Kenneth Gainwell, a game in which Warren carried 14 times for 143 yards and two TDs to go along with two catches (on two targets) for eight yards. Look for Warren to continue to be a focal point in Pittsburgh's offense this weekend, when the team will be missing top WR DK Metcalf, who was suspended for the Steelers' final two regular-season contests.

Warren (hip) was limited at practice Wednesday, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Coach Mike Tomlin noted Wednesday that "Warren should be limited at the early portions of the week," which suggests that the running back may not practice fully Thursday either. That said, at this stage there's nothing to suggest that Warren will miss Sunday's game against the Browns, with the 9-6 Steelers firmly in the playoff hunt. In the team's Week 16 win over the Lions, Warren logged a 49 percent offensive snap share while working in tandem with fellow RB Kenneth Gainwell en route to rushing 14 times for 143 yards and two TDs to go along with logging two catches on two targets for eight yards.

Warren rushed the ball 14 times for 143 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's 29-24 win over the Lions. He added two receptions on two targets for eight yards.

EDGE Analysis

The backfield split in Pittsburgh remained consistent, with Warren taking the lead on the ground and Kenneth Gainwell working as the preferred pass catcher. Warren came alive in the second half, ripping off nearly identical 45-yard touchdown runs on back-to-back possessions in the fourth quarter while also chipping in an additional 21-yard gain. The end result was a career-high 143 yards on the ground and Warren's first time cracking the century mark since Week 7. It was a needed showing, as he had also been held below 40 rushing yards in three straight games entering Sunday's matchup.

Warren (illness) rushed 12 times for 33 yards while catching all three of his targets for 15 yards in Monday's 28-15 win over the Dolphins.

EDGE Analysis

Warren was a late addition to Monday's injury report with an illness, which may help explain his poor individual performance in his team's victory. Backup Kenneth Gainwell took advantage of the starter's limitations and finished as Pittsburgh's leading rusher on a team-high 20 touches. It was only the third time this season that Warren's backup reached double-digit carries, so fantasy managers shouldn't hit the panic button following Monday's backfield shift. A healthier Warren will have an opportunity to reestablish himself as the Steelers' primary back in a road matchup against the Lions on Sunday.