Rico Dowdle - NFL News, Rumors, & Updates

Fantasy Football Depth Chart Battle: Jaylen Warren or Rico Dowdle? The Steelers have an even battle at running back, but a timeline may provide clarity on Mike McCarthy's expectations regarding Jaylen Warren...

15 HOURS AGO • SI.COM

Splitting backfield with Warren Dowdle and Jaylen Warren are slated to have regular roles in the Steelers offense during the 2026 season, Dan Graziano of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Despite Warren being the top incumbent running back in Pittsburgh, Graziano believes that Dowdle is a better bet to handle early downs out of the backfield, not only due to his experience working with new coach Mike McCarthy in Dallas but because of his combined 471 carries over the last two seasons. Both campaigns resulted in more than 1,000 yards on the ground for Dowdle, while Warren has topped out at 958 rushing yards (2025) in his four-year career. Warren does have the advantage in pass-catching chops, with 139 receptions over the last three years. As a result, both players are in line for weekly usage for the Steelers.

5 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Harbaugh and Tomlin out, 3 new coaches in as the AFC North enters a new era

The last play of the 2025 regular season determined the winner of the AFC North

SEPTEMBER 1 • Associated Press

Packers Make Another Trade, Reportedly Land RB Kaleb Johnson From Steelers

The Green Packers are acquiring running back Kaleb Johnson in a trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

AUGUST 30 • FOX SPORTS

Packers Make Another Trade, Reportedly Land RB Kaleb Johnson From Steelers

Fantasy Football Draft Debate: Rico Dowdle vs. Jaylen Warren Evaluating which Pittsburgh Steelers RB fantasy managers should draft between Rico Dowdle and Jaylen Warren.

AUGUST 23 • SI.COM

Five carries Friday, just like Warren Dowdle rushed five times for 18 yards and caught his only target for two yards in Friday's 17-0 preseason loss to the Jets.

Impact Dowdle posted a similar stat line to Jaylen Warren (five carries for 17 yards) as Pittsburgh's top two running backs split carries throughout the first half. The Steelers are poised to open the regular season with Warren and Dowdle operating in a timeshare. It's unclear if either of the two will suit up for Thursday's preseason finale at Buffalo.

AUGUST 22 • ROTOWIRE

In uniform Friday Dowdle is suited up for Friday's preseason game versus the Jets, Brian Batko of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Impact Dowdle thus is poised to make his Steelers debut after sitting out the team's exhibition opener last Thursday against the Packers. Both Dowdle and Jaylen Warren are in uniform Friday, and the former is looking to build upon the 1,373 yards from scrimmage and seven total TDs he racked up in 17 regular-season games in 2025 as a member of the Panthers.

AUGUST 21 • ROTOWIRE

Idle for preseason opener Dowdle did not play in Thursday's 28-9 preseason win over the Packers, Chris Harlan of Triblive.com reports.

Impact Neither Dowdle nor Jaylen Warren suited up for Thursday's game, which saw Lew Nichols and rookie seventh-rounder Eli Heidenreich handle the bulk of the carries. Warren is listed as the Steelers' RB1 on the first unofficial depth chart that was released Aug. 5, but head coach Mike McCarthy wants to balance the workload between Warren and Dowdle, per Brian Batko of the team's official site. Dowdle has rushed for over 1,000 yards in each of his last two seasons, but he saw his usage dip over the last few weeks of the 2025 season.

AUGUST 14 • ROTOWIRE

Disappointing Preseason Opener Could Mean Trouble for Steelers RB Behind Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle, little has been clear regarding how the Pittsburgh Steelers' running back room is going to shape up he...

AUGUST 14 • SI.COM

Rookie Drew Allar has 2 TD passes, 1 TD run as Steelers beat Packers 28-9 in preseason opener

Rookie Drew Allar threw two touchdown passes and ran for another score as the Pittsburgh Steelers dropped the Green Bay Packers 28-9 in the preseason opener for both teams

AUGUST 14 • Associated Press

2026 Fantasy Football ADP Bargains: Running Backs Rico Dowdle is one of five backs with an average draft position well below his expected performance level, making him a potential draft-day...

AUGUST 11 • SI.COM

Steelers RB Duo Has Mike McCarthy Excited PITTSBURGH -- When the Pittsburgh Steelers signed running back Rico Dowdle, it became immediately apparent that the rushing attack was a top...

AUGUST 8 • SI.COM

Listed behind Warren on depth chart Jaylen Warren is listed ahead of Dowdle on the Steelers' initial posted depth chart ahead of the preseason, Brian Batko of the team's official site reports.

Impact That said, Batko suggests that coach Mike McCarthy is seeking a balanced backfield approach featuring a 1-2 punch, and Dowdle will no doubt see his share of touches along with Warren this coming season. Kaleb Johnson, Lew Nichols, Travis Homer and rookie Eli Heidenreich are currently in the mix for slotting behind the top duo, but from a fantasy standpoint, the Warren and Dowdle combo, a potential 1A/1B scenario, are the players to note in the Pittsburgh's backfield ahead of Week 1.

AUGUST 5 • ROTOWIRE

Splitting first-team reps Dowdle and Jaylen Warren split first-team running back reps across the Steelers' first two training camp practices, Daniel Chavkin of SportsNet Pittsburgh reports.

Impact Dowdle was first up for first-team reps on Thursday after Warren worked ahead Wednesday. Dowdle joins Pittsburgh after back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons and brings prior familiarity with new coach Mike McCarthy, giving him a real chance to push Warren for the lead committee role. That said, Warren's receiving ability gives him a strong path to consistent touches, and it remains to be seen whether Dowdle's bruising between-the-tackles style will allow him to secure the majority of goal-line work. Pittsburgh's backfield competition will be one to track closely during training camp.

JULY 31 • ROTOWIRE

Pittsburgh Steelers Fantasy Football Training Camp Position Battles: Jaylen Warren Vs Rico Dowdle We break down the Pittsburgh Steelers running back battle between Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle and pick which back fantasy football owners...

JULY 30 • SI.COM

The Steelers' new backfield tandem could join exclusive company in 2026 The Pittsburgh Steelers swapped 2025 team MVP Kenneth Gainwell for Rico Dowdle this offseason. Will he and Jaylen Warren be an even better d...

JULY 27 • STILLCURTAIN.COM

How Steelers Will Use Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle The Pittsburgh Steelers have made a habit of carrying two effective, starting-caliber running backs on their roster over the past handful of...

JULY 6 • SI.COM

Rico Dowdle Could Make NFL History With Steelers PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers are eagerly awaiting the debut of the new running back tandem. Free-agent addition Rico Dowdle joins re...

JUNE 30 • SI.COM

Sharing backfield with Warren Dowdle, who signed with the Steelers in March, is set to work in tandem with Jaylen Warren this coming season, Kevin Hutchinson of steelersnow.com reports.

Impact On the heels of back-to-back seasons (one with Dallas and one with Carolina) during which he topped 1,000 rushing yards, Dowdle bolsters a Steelers backfield that saw Kenneth Gainwell depart via free agency this offseason. It remains to be seen how the carries/targets will be divided between Warren and Dowdle in 2026, but the two players' different skill sets could lead to a "thunder and lightning" approach utilizing Warren's shiftiness and quickness and Dowdle's bruising style. Also in the mix for complementary touches are 2025 third-rounder Kaleb Johnson and versatile rookie Eli Heidenreich, with added context regarding Pittsburgh's backfield approach set to arrive once team drills commence in training camp.

JUNE 25 • ROTOWIRE

Steelers' underrated free agent pickup is embracing new role right away Pittsburgh Steelers' newest running back Rico Dowdle feels confident in his abilities paired with Jaylen Warren during OTA workouts.

MAY 31 • STILLCURTAIN.COM

Rico Dowdle Wasn't That Great and Won't Be Terribly Missed by Panthers If only considering the depth chart, then the loss of Rico Dowdle is a big one for the Carolina Panthers. He spent more than half the season...

MAY 31 • SI.COM

WATCH: Rico Dowdle Media Availability (May 28) Rico Dowdle spoke with the media Thursday, May 28 following practice

MAY 28 • STEELERS.COM

Steelers RB Rico Dowdle reunites with Mike McCarthy in Pittsburgh after his mom's spot-on prediction

Rico Dowdle has reunited with Mike McCarthy, just as his mother Leslie predicted

MAY 28 • Associated Press

What's Next: What Aaron Rodgers Must Do To Make Last Season More Than A Goodbye Tour

What would be considered a successful season for Aaron Rodgers? We asked Matt Hasselbeck and people around the league their thoughts on the...

MAY 26 • FOX SPORTS

What's Next: What Aaron Rodgers Must Do To Make Last Season More Than A Goodbye Tour

Aaron Rodgers says the 2026 NFL season will be his last: 'This is it'

Aaron Rodgers says his 22nd season in the NFL will be his last

MAY 20 • Associated Press

RICO DOWDLE NEWS

NEWS

BIO

STATS

VIDEOS

GAME LOG

INJURIES