Jaylen Warren fuels Steelers in 34-22 win over Indianapolis Professional Football Team with two long touchdowns
Reporting from Steelers.com by Mike Prisuta, Oct. 12, 2026. Running back Jaylen Warren provided the explosive plays that propelled the Pittsburgh Steelers to a 34-22 victory over the Indianapolis Professional Football Team, producing an 80-yard catch-and-run touchdown and a 50-yard rushing score. Warren finished with 101 rushing yards and a touchdown on 15 carries and added 87 receiving yards and a touchdown on 6 catches. He has taken an increased workload during Rico Dowdle’s three-game absence and the staff said they will continue to rely on him.
Offensive coordinator Brian Angelichio praised Warren’s toughness and consistency and said the staff will lean on him. Angelichio said the 80-yard score came after the initial read was to DK Metcalf, but a blitz forced quarterback Aaron Rodgers to throw to the flat and Warren turned it into an 80-yard touchdown. He added that Warren’s performance in OTAs and training camp showed the abilities coaches expected and that his consistent approach and effort have impressed the staff.
Special teams coordinator Danny Crossman said the opponent returned the kickoff following Warren’s long score 54 yards to the Steelers’ 43-yard line and converted a field goal to cut the lead to 7-6. Crossman accepted responsibility for the call, said it was not a great call for the return they ran and called for cleaner lane discipline and tackling. He added that the unit is making progress in some areas but must tie fundamentals together before Sunday’s trip to Tampa Bay.
Defensive coordinator Patrick Graham praised rookie cornerback Daylen Everette after his first NFL start against the Indianapolis Professional Football Team, highlighting his physicality in coverage and run support. Graham singled out a 2-yard play where Everette set the edge to help stop the run and said that play exemplified the run-defense work he wants from young corners. Graham also noted seventh-round safety Robert Spears-Jennings continued to play in five-defensive-back packages and praised the rookie for learning from mistakes and earning teammates’ trust.
NFL Sports Blog Take
Warren’s dual-threat performance underlines his value as both a runner and a receiver and provides the Steelers a short-term solution while Rico Dowdle is sidelined. The special teams breakdown on the ensuing kickoff serves as a reminder that Pittsburgh must clean up execution in that phase to avoid negating big offensive plays. On defense, contributions from rookies Daylen Everette and Robert Spears-Jennings offer encouraging depth and versatility in the secondary as the team balances youth and experience moving forward.