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Next up behind Jaylen Warren; depth chart RB2.
Rest of the stableTravis Homer (RB3), Lew Nichols (RB5)ExpandCollapse
Travis HomerRB3change of pace0% rostered · free long shotVeteran special-teams ace (46 career special-teams tackles, one TD) and pass-protection specialist signed in March 2026, with only 90 career carries and 55 catches on offense. He made his season debut as a Week 2 elevation and adds experienced depth behind Warren with Dowdle out, but he has never been a volume runner and is not a realistic lead-back answer.
Injury history: Signed a one-year deal with Pittsburgh in free agency (March 2026). Seven NFL seasons and 85 games with Seattle (2019-22) and Chicago (2023-25), only two starts. Not listed on Pittsburgh's Week 3 injury report (Sept 25). Earlier-career injury detail was not verified here, and absence of reported injury does not establish health.
38score
Lew NicholsRB50% rostered · free long shotPractice-squad back and 2026 preseason standout. The Athletic's Mike DeFabo named him the player Pittsburgh would promote into the carry split if Warren or Dowdle were injured, which makes him the most interesting name behind the top two - though with Dowdle out for Week 3 the reported backup was Heidenreich, so that promotion has not yet happened. Deep-stash value only.
Injury history: No NFL injury reported. Waived by Pittsburgh Aug. 30, 2026 and re-signed to the practice squad Sept. 1, 2026 (date-only reporting). Spent 2025 on the Steelers' practice squad and was elevated once, for Week 9 vs IND. Absence of reported injury data does not establish durability.
35score
Why this pick · the matrix
Evidence: low. Stash priority: 68/100. Scores are rankings, not probabilities.
Rostered in 56% of ESPN leagues when this board was built. Your league may differ; if he is taken, check the rest of the stable for a lower-rostered back.
| Season | Games* | Carries | Rush yds | Targets | Rec | Rec yds | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 22 | 77 | 11 | 7 | 37 | 0 |
| 2025 | 17 | 236 | 1076 | 50 | 39 | 297 | 7 |
Last 3 games with stats for PIT: 7.3 carries and 3.7 targets per game.
*Games with a recorded stat line; not an attendance or injury measure. Stats exclude this game week. Source: nflverse
| Season | Games* | Carries | Rush yds | Targets | Rec | Rec yds | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 6 | 84 | 460 | 30 | 21 | 258 | 2 |
| 2025 | 16 | 211 | 958 | 45 | 40 | 333 | 8 |
Last 3 games with stats for PIT: 15.3 carries and 5.3 targets per game.
*Games with a recorded stat line; not an attendance or injury measure. Stats exclude this game week. Source: nflverse
Rico Dowdle is listed RB2 on the Pittsburgh Steelers depth chart behind Jaylen Warren. Deterministic pick; the model overview was unavailable.
Backfield news: Max Hurleman: Out (espn_rosters)
Scouting: Healthy again but clearly second: in his Oct. 18 return from the toe injury - first action since Week 2 - he took 7 carries for 40 yards and caught 3 of 4 for 9 in a 26-19 OT win, 10 touches to Jaylen Warren's 16 and 49 scrimmage yards to Warren's 78. The near-even split from Weeks 1-2 has not come back, so he is a usable complementary back rather than a lead, with Week 7 vs. New Orleans next.
Starter injury history: 2024: preseason hamstring, out Week 4 with a knee, with knee and hamstring issues recurring. 2025: knee limited him in late September; brief ankle exit in Week 11 with no absence. 2026: shoulder injury had him limited Sept. 23-25 and questionable for Week 3, but he played and has carried a full workload since, so the shoulder appears resolved. No current reported injury.
Analyst write-up pending; deterministic pick shown.
Next up behind Alvin Kamara; depth chart RB2.
Rest of the stableCJ Donaldson (RB3)ExpandCollapse
CJ DonaldsonRB30% rostered · free long shotRookie on the active roster who has carved out a niche: Moore said on Oct. 1 that Donaldson has 'found his specific role,' and he is part of the group that out-carried Etienne 35-30 over the first three-plus games. With Etienne on IR he should see more snaps, but he is behind Kamara and Miller with no established carry share of his own. Deep bench and dynasty stash only.
Injury history: No verified injury information gathered this cycle, and he does not appear on Saints injury reporting reviewed through Oct. 1. Missing injury data does not establish health. No reported NFL absences for this rookie.
47score
Why this pick · the matrix
Evidence: low. Stash priority: 72/100. Scores are rankings, not probabilities.
Rostered in 33% of ESPN leagues when this board was built. Your league may differ; if he is taken, check the rest of the stable for a lower-rostered back.
| Season | Games* | Carries | Rush yds | Targets | Rec | Rec yds | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 5 | 49 | 153 | 8 | 6 | 15 | 2 |
| 2025 | 7 | 47 | 193 | 5 | 5 | 30 | 1 |
Last 3 games with stats for NO: 12 carries and 1.7 targets per game.
*Games with a recorded stat line; not an attendance or injury measure. Stats exclude this game week. Source: nflverse
| Season | Games* | Carries | Rush yds | Targets | Rec | Rec yds | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 5 | 35 | 120 | 20 | 15 | 76 | 3 |
| 2025 | 11 | 131 | 471 | 39 | 33 | 186 | 1 |
Last 3 games with stats for NO: 5.7 carries and 4.3 targets per game.
*Games with a recorded stat line; not an attendance or injury measure. Stats exclude this game week. Source: nflverse
Kendre Miller is listed RB2 on the New Orleans Saints depth chart behind Alvin Kamara. Deterministic pick; the model overview was unavailable.
Backfield news: Ty Chandler: Out (espn_rosters) Travis Etienne Jr.: Out (espn_rosters)
Scouting: Etienne's IR placement opens real early-down work, but reporting has Kamara taking the primary role and Miller only slated for expanded carries. He sits at 15 carries through the first three-plus games (13 for 44 and a TD through three), so the volume case is unproven, and a 2026 healthy scratch is on his record. Contract year. Speculative add while Etienne is out.
Starter injury history: Has missed games in most recent seasons; age 31. 2026: a sprained MCL cost him Week 1; two medical-tent trips with a knee issue in Week 4; a back injury from Week 5 on, which he played through. He was limited in practice and questionable for Week 6. No games missed to the back. Week 5 snaps were a season-low 12. No return-to-full-workload timetable has been reported.
Analyst write-up pending; deterministic pick shown.