After suffering a toe injury in Week 2, Steelers RB Rico Dowdle was out in last week’s 30-27 win vs. the Bengals. Pittsburgh flourished with 6.0 yards per carry, and it hopes to maintain that success on Thursday Night Football vs. the Browns.
Following a quick turnaround with the Steelers vs. Browns kicking off tonight at 8:15 p.m. ET on Prime Video, Dowdle’s status is firmly in doubt.
Let’s look at the latest Rico Dowdle injury update and how his status impacts fantasy football and picks for PrizePicks.
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Rico Dowdle Injury Update: Is Dowdle Playing in Thursday Night Football?
Following a quick turnaround after Sunday’s win over the Bengals, Rico Dowdle missed all three practices this week and was officially ruled out on the Steelers’ official injury report.
Dowdle also missed three practices leading up to Week 3, meaning he’s been absent from six consecutive practices. That draws concern for how long Dowdle could be out due to the toe injury.
However, good news arrived on Thursday morning, with Ian Rapoport of ESPN and NFL Network reporting Dowdle is currently “day-to-day,” and he has a good chance to play in Week 5.
For now, Pittsburgh will continue to operate with a one-man backfield headlined by RB Jaylen Warren. Here’s how Dowdle’s absence impacts fantasy football and Thursday Night Football picks for PrizePicks.
Jaylen Warren Fantasy Football Outlook with Dowdle Out
In Week 3 vs. the Bengals, Jaylen Warren dominated the workload with a 90.3% snap share while taking 17 rushing attempts compared to RBs Travis Homer and Lew Nichols each taking 1 carry.
Most importantly, Warren’s role led to success on the ground, as Pittsburgh racked up 138 rushing yards and 6.0 yards per carry as a team. Warren generated 127 rushing yards and 7.5 yards per carry on his 17 rushing attempts.
Furthermore, he was busy in the passing game, turning 4 targets into 3 receptions for 49 receiving yards. That receiving work is nothing new, with Warren tallying 6 targets, 5 catches, and 27 receiving yards in Week 1, followed by 4 targets, 2 receptions, and 34 receiving yards in Week 2.
Due to his workload alone, Warren immediately becomes a must-start for fantasy football. Check out some of his projected stats for Thursday Night Football vs. the Browns, via PrizePicks.
- 73.5 Rush Yards
- 25.5 Receiving Yards
- 0.5 Anytime TDs
- 3.5 Receptions
- 16 Fantasy Score
Focusing on tonight’s matchup, the Browns allow 4.5 yards per carry (23rd), and RBSDM credits Cleveland with a 43.2% rush success rate allowed (24th). According to Pro Football Focus, Warren’s 3.87 yards after contact per carry is the sixth-best mark among RBs with at least 20 rushing attempts this season.
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Make Steelers vs. Browns Picks on PrizePicks
Rico Dowdle is slated to miss his second consecutive game from a toe injury, and that means Jaylen Warren is likely headed for another hefty workload on Thursday Night Football vs. the Browns.
Don’t wait until kickoff — make your Steelers vs. Browns picks for Thursday Night Football on PrizePicks! You can make picks on the winner, spread, and over/under on PrizePicks Team Picks, now available in 36 states. With PrizePicks, just pick players and predict More or Less on their stats!
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