The Pittsburgh Steelers have ushered in a new era with the appointment of Arthur Smith as their offensive coordinator. Known for his robust, run-heavy strategies, Smith's influence is already visible as the team pivots towards a more ground-focused offensive strategy for the 2024 season.
This significant shift comes at a time when the team is assessing pivotal roster decisions during the preseason. Unfortunately, the Steelers' plans faced an immediate challenge when promising running back Jaylen Warren suffered a hamstring injury in a recent preseason matchup against the Buffalo Bills. The injury, which took place in the second quarter, saw Warren catch a pass from quarterback Russell Wilson before he was forced to walk off the field. Despite walking off under his own power, he was quickly ruled doubtful to return to the game.
Warren's Road to Recovery
Warren's injury is particularly concerning for the Steelers, who envisioned a major role for him in their revamped offense. Before his exit in the game, which ended in a 9-3 win for the Bills, Warren had logged only three touches, accumulating 14 yards as a receiver. Evaluating his recovery will be crucial as preseason progress is vital for assessing his readiness for the upcoming season.
Warren’s journey with the Steelers began as an undrafted free agent in 2022, but he quickly proved his worth. By 2023, Warren was making significant strides, approaching 800 rushing yards while also securing 61 passes for 370 receiving yards. His versatility as both a rusher and receiver made him an asset in the team’s offensive plan.
Najee Harris: The Workhorse
Complementing Warren in the backfield is Najee Harris, the team's lead ball-carrier for the past three seasons. Harris has consistently surpassed 1,000 rushing yards each season, establishing himself as the Steelers' primary offensive threat. During the preseason contest against Buffalo, Harris was active, indicating his readiness to take on the heavy workload expected in Smith’s system.
Depth and Veteran Presence
Beyond Harris and Warren, the Steelers have relied on veteran reserves like Cordarrelle Patterson and La'Mical Perine. Both backs saw action early in the game against the Bills, suggesting that Smith plans to utilize a deep rotation of running backs to maintain a relentless ground attack.
A Strategy Centered on Running Backs
Arthur Smith's run-oriented scheme places significant emphasis on the health and performance of their running backs. As the team delves deeper into the preseason, ensuring that players like Warren are fully recovered will be critical. The Steelers aim to leverage their ground game to its fullest potential, banking on the durability and effectiveness of their rushing corps.
The coming weeks will be essential for Warren's recovery and for the Steelers to solidify their offensive strategies under Smith’s guidance. With the primary goal of maximizing their ground game’s effectiveness, Pittsburgh is keen on establishing a formidable rushing attack that can serve as the backbone of their offense in 2024. As the preseason unfolds, all eyes will be on how well the running backs adapt and thrive in this new system.