Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rico Dowdle (13) participates in OTA drills at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex.
Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
The Pittsburgh Steelers look to bounce back on Sunday with a win over the Indianapolis Colts. Pittsburgh is coming off a disappointing loss to the Cleveland Browns. It appears the Steelers will be without a key player on offense in Week 5.
“Steelers will make final determination in pre-game warmups, but (running back) Rico Dowdle is unlikely to play Sunday vs. the Colts due to a toe injury that has him listed as questionable,” ESPN's Adam Schefter posted to X, formerly Twitter.
Pittsburgh is 2-2 on the year. The Steelers are already without wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr., who is also dealing with an injury. The team placed Pittman on the reserve/injured list ahead of Sunday's game.
“Pittman started three games this season, missing the Week 2 game against the New England Patriots with his foot injury,” the team reported.
Dowdle meanwhile has 15 carries this season for Pittsburgh. He has posted 37 rushing yards. This is his first season in Pittsburgh after spending the 2025 season with the Carolina Panthers.
The Steelers had high expectations this season for the running back. He posted back-to-back 1,000 yard seasons in rushing the last two years. That came with two different teams; Dowdle played for the Dallas Cowboys in 2024.
The Steelers are led by first-year head coach Mike McCarthy. McCarthy is replacing Mike Tomlin, who never had a losing season in many years leading the Steelers. Under McCarthy so far, Pittsburgh's offense has had some lackluster performances.
Pittsburgh made some roster moves ahead of the Colts game to help this offense.
“The team also elevated running back Lew Nichols and receiver Brandon Smith from the Active/Inactive Roster for Sunday's game against the Indianapolis Colts at Acrisure Stadium,” the team reported.
The Steelers and Colts play Sunday at 1:00 ET. Indianapolis is also 2-2 on the campaign.