Woof. Pittsburgh just took a gut punch with that 20-3 loss to the Patriots, but hold up, there is a tiny bit of light. Running back Rico Dowdle, who got dinged up big time in that game, had tests come back “relatively OK” on his toe. NFL Network and ESPN insider Ian Rapoport dropped that info, and honestly, Steelers fans needed something, anything.
Game Day Drama and Early Season Stumbles
Man, Dowdle’s game against the Patriots on September 20 at Gillette Stadium was rough. He got carted off the field in the first half with that toe injury! He tried to come back, briefly, but could not finish the game. He only managed seven carries for 22 yards and caught two passes for the same amount of yardage. Not great, especially when the team lost a lopsided 20-3. And it is not like his season started hot; he is only averaging 2.7 yards a carry through his first two games with the Steelers. That is a wild drop considering this is the same guy who had over 1,070 yards in back-to-back seasons in Carolina before coming to Pittsburgh. This team is already dealing with more injury woes, with Troy Fautanu seen in a walking boot after that brutal loss, too. Ouch.
What This Means For The Next Battle
So yeah, “relatively OK” is all you get right now, because Dowdle is officially considered “day-to-day.” That is huge because Pittsburgh is staring down a nightmare next: the 2-0 Cincinnati Bengals. This is not just any game, it is the first divisional slugfest of the year! The Bengals are rolling with an improved defense and a healthy Joe Burrow. Dowdle’s importance is clear, he outsnapped Jaylen Warren 39-25 in Week 1. If he cannot go, or is not 100 percent, that is a problem for an offense that clearly needs some sweeping offensive line changes after that Patriots debacle.
Can Dowdle get healthy enough to make a difference against the Bengals? This team needs all hands on deck, especially with the Bengals looking dominant. Keep an eye on that “day-to-day” status, because this next game is a massive test for Pittsburgh, and they cannot afford to stumble out of the gate in the division.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Behind the Steel Curtain.
Leave a Reply