RicoDowdle

News: 11 hours agoDowdle (toe) is inactive for Sunday's Week 5 game against the Colts.

Spin: The veteran running back will miss a third consecutive game while tending to the toe injury he sustained in a Week 2 loss to the Patriots. Dowdle was able to practice in limited fashion during each session of Week 5 prep, so there appears to be a good chance he manages to gain clearance for a Week 6 road matchup against the Buccaneers next Sunday. Meanwhile, Jaylen Warren, who's logged 23 touches apiece in each of the first two games Dowdle has missed, will continue in a workhorse role out of the Steelers backfield against Indianapolis on Sunday.

ESPN Fantasy Projection: Dowdle signed with the Steelers after nearly identical campaigns with the Cowboys in 2024 (1,328 yards and five TDs on 274 touches) and Panthers in 2025 (1,373 yards and seven TDs on 275 touches). He was effective as a rusher (4.57 yards per carry) and fairly busy as a receiver (50 targets both years) en route to finishing just inside the top 25 in fantasy points per game both seasons. Now in Pittsburgh, the 28-year-old is expected to share work with Jaylen Warren. Earning lead-rusher duties could get Dowdle into the weekly flex discussion, but the ceiling will be low and he'll likely need an injury in order to find his way to consistent fantasy output. Consider him for your bench.