Former Cowboys RB Jaylen Warren Served Egregious Fine Over a Blocking 'Hit'
The Pittsburgh Steelers are 4-3 on the season, and they've received contributions from former Oklahoma State standout running back Jaylen Warren. In 2022, the Steelers signed Warren as an undrafted free agent after an incredible season with the Cowboys in Stillwater.
Now in his second season with the Steelers, Warren has appeared in 23 games and seems to get a continually increased role as questions surround Najee Harris' impact.
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Warren has received 45 carries for 175 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown on the season. He's also been used in the passing game, both on short passes and in the pass protection. This has gotten him in trouble two times this season, though.
In the Steelers' win over the Los Angeles Rams a couple of weeks ago, Warren was fined for a pass-blocking play -- a play that wasn't flagged in real-time. It was a hefty fine, too, as he had to pay $48,556 for the hit against Rams pass rusher Michael Hoecht.
Again, this is the second time this has happened to Warren. So, he's paid nearly $100,000 in fines this season. Neither play was flagged but was brought back by the review team and deemed necessary for hefty fines.
"I mean, it sucks because that's so much money," Warren said. "But I don't let it alter my play. I don't know if I should say this, but if I was in the same situation, I'm still doing what I'm going to do. It's what got me on the team."
No matter what kind of money someone is making, $100,000 over the course of two games -- and two plays for that matter -- is a lot of money, especially for something that wasn't flagged.
"That's so much money. If I got fined $2,000, I'd be pissed, too. But $50,000 is crazy. That's a whole car. That's money I could be giving my family," Warren said.
Warren spent one season with the Cowboys. He transferred from Utah State to the Cowboys in 2021, the final season of Warren's career. He took 256 attempts for 1,216 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns.
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Kade has been covering a wide variety of teams ranging from the NFL to the NBA and college athletics since joining Sports Illustrated's On SI in 2022