PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rico Dowdle is expected to progress in his return from a toe injury on Wednesday, but will still be limited in his work, head coach Mike McCarthy said before practice.
McCarthy confirmed that Dowdle will be working in the “rehab group” at practice as he works his way back from a dislocated toe on his left foot.
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He did not practice at all over the least two weeks as his missed the team’s last two games after he was injured in Week 2 against the New England Patriots.
“It’s real annoying,” Dowdle said on Tuesday. “I dislocated it twice in the Patriots game. But yeah, just a foot sprain. Very annoying honestly; I’m missing games because of a toe. I’ve played with broken hips and stuff like that, but it’s definitely there.”
Dowdle said the injury has been frustrating, because he’s had to take time off his feet to let it heal, otherwise, there’s a chance that he could require surgery.
“It’s definitely frustrating being out,” Dowdle said. “Obviously, I want to be out there doing what I can do to help the team win.”
#Steelers RB Rico Dowdle explains how his foot injury has affected him: pic.twitter.com/DOoher14wk
— Brendan Howe (@bybrendanhowe) October 6, 2026
With Dowdle out, the Steelers have relied almost exclusively on Jaylen Warren at running back. He has played 90 and 97% of the team’s offensive snaps in the two games that Dowdle has missed so far. In those two games, Warren has rushed for 220 yards on 34 carries (6.4 average). He also recorded six receptions for 82 yards (13.6 average).
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“Just a hard runner,” Dowdle said of Warren. “He’s had two really good weeks the past two weeks. Just a hard runner out there. He’s been the heart of the offense these past two weeks. Making a lot of explosives. Doing good for us, so definitely impressed with how he’s playing.”
The Steelers will have two more practices this week for the veteran running back to have a chance to get back to full participation before the Steelers host the Indianapolis Colts in Week 5 at 1 p.m. on Sunday.
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