Steelers Have New Plan at RB
PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers appear to gradually be moving more toward a different running back rotation at the end of the season, with Jaylen Warren becoming their more widely-used option over Najee Harris.
Over the last two weeks, Warren has out-snapped Harris in the backfield. This week, he played 34 to Harris's 26 snaps, while last week against the Indianapolis Colts, Warren out-snapped Harris 40-20.
The change has seemed to work. Harris ran the ball 19 times for 78 yards and a touchdown against the Bengals, while Warren ran just eight for 24 yards, but also caught five passes for 30 yards. He was also utilized as a pass and run blocker throughout the game.
The Steelers haven't shied away from their one-two punch in the backfield this season, but for the most part, it was Harris heavily out-snapping Warren at the beginning of the year. Now, the rotation has changed, which likely keeps Harris fresher for those power runs, and allows the offense to utilize Warren's explosiveness on an every-down basis.
Warren eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark in Week 16 against Cincinnati, becoming just the second undrafted player in Steelers history to do so. The first was his relative, Willie Parker.
Heading into the final two weeks of the season and hopefully the playoffs, the Steelers will likely stick to their new plan at running back and hope they find the same success they had in Week 16.
The move could allow Harris to be more efficient as a runner, while utilizing Warren's all-around skills as a runner, receiver and blocker.
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