Jaylen Warren injury update creates chaos for last-minute fantasy waiver wire replacements for Steelers RB

Billy Heyen

Jaylen Warren injury update creates chaos for last-minute fantasy waiver wire replacements for Steelers RB image

This is the last thing any fantasy football player wanted to see heading into a Monday night potential decider in the fantasy playoffs.

Jaylen Warren, the Pittsburgh Steelers' No. 1 RB and a reliable fantasy running back, has been added to the injury report. He's questionable for Monday Night Football against the Miami Dolphins.

Fantasy lineups are mostly set in stone at this point. Everyone but the Steelers and Dolphins has played already. 

Those relying on Warren to get them points Monday night may be forced to pivot. But to who? And how? And when?

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Jaylen Warren fantasy replacements

The first key to note is that the official inactive report will come out at about 6:45 p.m. ET. If no additional news comes out before then, that's when we'd know if Warren is out for Monday night.

Without additional information, you can't bench Warren yet. But you've got to start planning.

If Warren is in your RB spot, there are four possible replacements. The only good one is Kenneth Gainwell, and it's unlikely he's on your waiver wire, but it's worth checking. If Gainwell isn't there, rookie Kaleb Johnson could see some touches if Warren is inactive.

From the Dolphins side, both Jaylen Wright and Ollie Gordon could be on the wire (although Wright may have been a popular pickup already this week). Gordon was playing more than Wright until last week, when Wright had a huge game in relief of De'Von Achane. Gordon at least gets goal line carries, if Wright isn't an option.

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If Warren is in your FLEX spot, the options open up. Dolphins WR Malik Washington could be the best choice. Steelers WR Calvin Austin would be a dart throw. The best TD odds may actually belong to Steelers TE Darnell Washington.

Some leagues allow you to drop bench players that have already played, which would be preferred to dropping Warren.

Other leagues would allow Warren to be placed in an IR spot if he's officially ruled out, which is also preferable to dropping Warren.

Only as a last-ditch effort to chase down a win would dropping Warren make sense if he's ruled out.

If Warren plays, you have to assume he's healthy enough and keep him in your lineup.

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