Rico Dowdle Gives Honest Update After His Toe Dislocated Twice Against the Patriots
· Yahoo Sports
Rico Dowdle has spent the last two games watching the Pittsburgh Steelers from the sideline, and the reason for his absence is more painful than the initial toe injury suggested.
The Steelers running back revealed Tuesday that his toe was dislocated twice during the Steelers” Week 2 loss to the New England Patriots. He managed to get it popped back into place both times; however, the second occurrence forced him out for good. Now, Dowdle is waiting for the tissue around the joint to heal before he can safely return.
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Rico Dowdle Details His Toe Injury With Pittsburgh Steelers
Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle (5) scrambles in the pocket against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, November 2, 2025, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. The Panthers won the game, 16-13, on a 49-yard field goal as time expired.Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
Dowdle said he is feeling better and plans to test himself at practice this week. However, he still does not have a firm return date, and the next step will depend on how his toe responds when he resumes work.
Rico Dowdle told the media he dislocated his toe twice against the Patriots. He popped it back in twice and then it came out again. So he says the tissue around the joint of his toe needs to heal. #Steelers#NFL
— Blitzburgh (@Blitz_Burgh) October 6, 2026
The injury happened while Dowdle was chasing the football after Aaron Rodgers was strip-sacked against the Patriots. He was carted to the locker room in the second quarter; however, he returned after medical staff put the toe back in place, and X-rays showed no fracture.
Dowdle then tried to continue playing. His toe came loose once more, forcing the Steelers to put him on ice. The 28-year-old has thus missed the Steelers’ last two matches. In his Tuesday comments, he added that he is handling his recovery one day at a time and will do some work this week to assess his readiness.
In addition, there is a clear rationale behind the caution. Dowdle further stated that should his toe continue to dislocate before it heals, he may need surgery and have a pin placed in his toe. For now, he will try to ensure this does not happen.
In Dowdle’s absence, Jaylen Warren has seized his chance. Over the last two matches, Warren has racked up 220 rushing yards from 34 carries while also recording six receptions for 82 yards.
Dowdle has also been impressed by what he has seen from Warren.
“He’s had two really good weeks the past two weeks,” Dowdle said. “Just a hard runner out there. He’s been the heart of the offense these past two weeks.” (Via Steelers Now)
For Pittsburgh, Warren’s production has made Dowdle’s absence easier to manage; however, getting Dowdle back would give the Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy, another experienced option in an offense that has needed more consistency.
However, for now, Dowdle’s return comes down to the same thing he emphasized Tuesday: letting the damaged tissue heal and making sure the toe stays where it belongs.
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