Is Jaylen Warren playing today? Latest injury update, fantasy advice for Steelers RB

Mike Moraitis

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Is Jaylen Warren playing today? Latest injury update, fantasy advice for Steelers RB image

The Pittsburgh Steelers have some uncertainty surrounding the running back position ahead of their Week 4 game against the Minnesota Vikings in Ireland.

Running back Jaylen Warren was a limited participant in practice throughout the week thanks to a knee injury and was considered questionable ahead of the 9:30 a.m. ET kickoff on Sunday morning.

While it looked like Warren would play after a few positive reports, we were thrown a curveball on Sunday morning.

Here's the latest on his status.

LIVE SUNDAY FANTASY NEWS: Who should I start Week 4?

Is Jaylen Warren playing today?

UPDATE: This is a perfect example of why you never take reports with 100% certainty and must fully confirm a player's status with the inactives list.

After reports suggested he would play, Warren is inactive for the Week 4 game against the Vikings.

With Warren out, Kenneth Gainwell should lead the backfield and will likely see a lot of work. Trey Sermon and rookie Kaleb Johnson will also get some work behind him, although it's hard to gauge who will be the first man off the bench behind the veteran Gainwell.

END OF UPDATE

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Warren is expected to play in Week 4 against the Vikings.

"Steelers RB Jaylen Warren, who was added to the injury report on Friday with a knee injury, is expected to play Sunday in Dublin vs. the Vikings, per league source," Schefter reported.

ESPN's Brooke Pryor noted on Sunday morning that Warren is on the field during warm-ups and she also expects him to play, although he is sporting a sleeve on his right leg.

"Jaylen Warren (knee) out early for warmups. He was listed as questionable but I’d imagine he’s good to go, but wearing a sleeve on his right leg," Pryor wrote.

Jaylen Warren start or sit advice

UPDATE: Warren is a surprise inactive after reports suggested he would play, thus you aren't starting him this week.

Kenneth Gainwell should take the reins as the lead back and is now a flex option for fantasy managers in need of a last-minute starter.

The Steelers likely will incorporate rookie Kaleb Johnson into the offense to share backup reps with Trey Sermon, but neither deserves a fantasy lineup spot in their complementary work.

END OF UPDATE

Warren has seen a big workload the last two weeks and ranks as RB14 through three games, which makes him a weekly RB2 option moving forward.

But temper expectations this week, as the Vikings are giving up the 10th-fewest fantasy points per game to running backs in 2025.

Verdict: Start

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Mike Moraitis

Mike Moraitis is a freelance writer who covers the NFL for the Sporting News. Over his nearly two decades covering sports, Mike has also worked for Bleacher Report, USA TODAY and FanSided. He hates writing in the third person.