10/11/2026 03:36:00
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10/11 15:34 CDT Jaylen Warren's brilliance leads the Steelers past the Colts
34-22
Jaylen Warren's brilliance leads the Steelers past the Colts 34-22
By WILL GRAVES
AP Sports Writer
PITTSBURGH (AP) --- Jaylen Warren piled up 188 total yards and two long
touchdowns --- one rushing and one receiving --- to lead the Pittsburgh
Steelers past the Indianapolis Colts 34-22 on Sunday.
The Steelers (3-2) shook off a loss at Cleveland by relying on Warren and a
defense that frequently bent but rarely broke.
Warren caught six passes for 87 yards, including an 80-yard catch-and-run score
in the first quarter, and added 101 more on the ground, highlighted by a
50-yard sprint to the end zone in the third quarter in which the typically
low-key former undrafted free agent hurdled across the goal line in celebration.
Aaron Rodgers completed 22 of 31 passes for 235 yards and three scores. While
Warren did most of the work on their 80-yard connection that gave Pittsburgh's
offense an early jolt, the 42-year-old Rodgers paid the price by absorbing a
crushing hit from 314-pound Colts defensive tackle Grover Stewart as he flicked
the ball to the do-everything running back.
Pat Freiermuth caught five passes for 44 yards and two touchdowns for
Pittsburgh, the second a 17-yard toss from Rodgers with 6:40 remaining that
gave the Steelers enough cushion to beat the Colts for the 10th time in 12
meetings.
Daniel Jones threw for 267 yards for Indianapolis (2-3) and avoided the
turnovers that have plagued him whenever he's faced the Steelers, but the Colts
also had drives consistently stall in Pittsburgh territory.
Spencer Shrader had five field goals for Indianapolis, including three in the
second half from 40 yards and in.
Tyler Warren finished with seven receptions for 83 yards and the second rushing
touchdown of his career. Jonathan Taylor had 82 total yards for the Colts, who
were coming off an impressive victory over Washington in London but have not
won at Pittsburgh since 2008.
First-year coach Mike McCarthy's Steelers bounced back from a shaky performance
with a solid one for the second time in a month.
Pittsburgh never trailed after Warren turned a flip from Rodgers into the ninth
touchdown pass of 80 yards or more of the quarterback's career, tying former
Steelers cornerstone Ben Roethlisberger for the most in NFL history.
Three times, the Colts pulled within a point, and Pittsburgh responded each
time behind Warren, who made the team in 2022 as an unheralded rookie and has
evolved into one of the better feature backs in the league.
Thrust into a more high-profile role while backfield mate Rico Dowdle recovers
from a toe injury, Warren has prevented the Steelers from relying too heavily
on Rodgers, the NFL's oldest active player, who is playing his 22nd and final
season.
Injuries
Steelers: WR/special teams ace Ben Skowronek left in the second quarter with a
calf injury. ... WR Roman Wilson exited in the second quarter after injuring a
hand while trying to make a catch. ... LB T.J. Watt was treated for a facial
injury in the second quarter after getting gouged by Indianapolis RT Jalen
Travis.
Up next
Colts: Host AFC South rival Tennessee next Sunday.
Steelers: Visit Tampa Bay next Sunday.
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