The Pittsburgh Steelers will be without running back Jaylen Warren on Monday night against the Indianapolis Colts. Not having a backup running back might not seems like much of a concern to many teams but in recent weeks, the emergence of Warren has really helped open up the run game.
This week the team will turn to Anthony McFarland Jr. to spell Najee Harris and hopefully provide some of the similar spark Warren did as a rusher and receiver out of the backfield.
McFarland noted on Saturday he’s been practicing to be Harris’ back up this week and he prepares every week to play as a professional.
“From the outside looking in it can seem hard, but for me, just being a football player, I always think about it, so I won’t be so hard on myself that stuff I’m doing, that you see my doing, lining up everywhere, I’ve been doing that my whole life,” McFarland said. “It’s at a bigger level, so I’m professional with it. But I try to think of it in both ways. A professional way and on the other side of that, I’ve been doing that my whole, just being a versatile guy. Anywhere coach can plug me in on offense, wherever, I really think I can get it done.”
The Colts are going to focus on stopping the Steelers run game and forcing rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett to win it. McFarland was solid in the preseason but the emergence of Warren made the decision easy for Pittsburgh.
What are your predictions for McFarland this week? Let us know in the comments below.
