Jaylen Warren Injury History & Analysis

The Steelers selected Iowa RB Kaleb Johnson in Round 3 of the 2025 NFL Draft. Johnson led Iowa in rushing as a true freshman in 2022, showing his grinding skills between the tackles. He ran 151 times for 779 yards and six TDs. After an ankle injury slowed him down in 2023, he enjoyed an exceptional year in 2024 on a struggling Iowa offense. His great vision and contact balance led to 240 rushes for 1,537 yards and 21 TDs on the ground. Johnson is the typical Hawkeye RB, consistently churning his feet to pick up additional yardage. He also leads the class in rush yards over expected per attempt for his career, picking up an additional yard per rush over expected. Johnson could eventually become a three-down NFL back if he can develop as a pass catcher. He’s simply not a burner, and that predictably showed up at the NFL Combine with his 4.57 forty time.

When the Steelers let RB Najee Harris leave for the Chargers in free agency, it sure seemed to clear the way for Jaylen Warren to take the backfield lead. GM Omar Khan confirmed that at this week's NFL meetings.

FOX Sports' Jordan Schultz reports that the Steelers are finalizing a one-year deal with RB Kenneth Gainwell. The 26-year-old (as of March 14) spent his first four seasons with the Eagles after arriving as a fifth-round pick.

The Steelers have placed a second-round tender on restricted free agent RB Jaylen Warren. That'll pay him $5.346 million for the coming season, barring a longer-term agreement between the player and team. The tender also doesn't keep Warren from hitting free agency. It does, however, mean that any team signing him away from Pittsburgh would have to send the Steelers a second-round pick.

Both Steelers RBs Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren combined for only 90 yards on the ground. Warren led with 12 carries for 48 yards while Harris had nine for 42.