Steelers Backfield Running on Fumes as Rico Dowdle Ruled Out Against Bengals

The Pittsburgh Steelers' offense is currently held together by duct tape and wishful thinking. ESPN's Adam Schefter just dropped the hammer that running back Rico Dowdle is officially out for Sunday's game against the Cincinnati Bengals with a toe injury, while Jaylen Warren is questionable with a bad shoulder.

If you are holding a ticket on the Steelers to do anything productive on the ground this weekend, you might want to look away. Dowdle was already spotted in a walking boot after Pittsburgh got dismantled 20-3 by the New England Patriots last week, and now Warren is a true coin flip to even suit up.

"Adam Schefter reported Dowdle is out and Warren is questionable."

Warren has managed 89 rushing yards and 61 receiving yards so far this season, which isn't exactly setting the world on fire, but he is desperately needed right now. To make matters worse, the Steelers are also missing their top target, as Michael Pittman Jr. was downgraded to out with a foot issue.

Pittsburgh is basically fielding an offense of guys who need a doctor's note just to get through the locker room doors. Trying to keep pace with a Cincinnati team that just handled the Houston Texans 20-6 is going to feel like bringing a butter knife to a gunfight, especially with Joe Burrow officially cleared from his own back tightness.

Sunday's AFC North clash is going to test exactly how deep Mike Tomlin's depth chart really goes. Fantasy managers and bettors alike need to monitor Warren's pregame warmups closely, because if he sits, Pittsburgh's game plan is going to look like a random number generator.