Every team has a different philosophy when it comes to using starters and key players in the preseason. Some, such as the Pittsburgh Steelers, like to get their guys live reps. Others bubble-wrap their most important players until the regular season rolls around.
There are pros and cons to each side of the argument. The biggest con to using regulars during an exhibition game is exposing them to more hits and damage that could lead to injury.
Unfortunately for the Steelers, that is exactly what happened in their second preseason game over the weekend. Facing off against the Buffalo Bills, their running back Jaylen Warren suffered a pretty severe hamstring injury.
Warren is expected to be sidelined for multiple weeks, putting his status for Week 1 against the Atlanta Falcons in doubt. While playing in the first half against the Bills, the injury occurred.
After the game, head coach Mike Tomlin did not provide any official updates on the status of his running back. He did say that evaluations would continue throughout the week, as the Pittsburgh Steelers could be without one of their most important weapons in the season opener.
If Warren is unable to go, Najee Harris would see an increased role in the backfield along with veteran Cordarrelle Patterson. Pittsburgh was already facing questions about their offense for the upcoming season before losing a player as important as Warren.
Last season, Warren showed remarkable explosiveness. He carried the ball 149 times for 784 yards and four touchdowns. He also took over as their go-to third down back, recording 61 catches for 370 yards.
The Pittsburgh Steelers will certainly miss him should he be unable to get into the lineup at the start of the season. Disappointingly, Warren isn’t the only player who the team lost to injury.
Starting center Nate Herbig is also going to miss an extended period of time. He is dealing with a torn rotator cuff as Tomlin has to deal with significant injuries to multiple key players before the preseason has even concluded.
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