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NFL·INJURY·October 18, 2026 07:06 AM ET

Steelers' Rico Dowdle expected to play Sunday vs. Buccaneers, per Jeremy Fowler

Veteran RB returns from a toe injury suffered in Week 2.

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated 1h1 min read
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Steelers RB Rico Dowdle (questionable, toe) is expected to play Sunday vs. Bucs, per source. Dowdle has been out since Via @JFowlerESPN on X

What happened: Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rico Dowdle, listed as questionable with a toe injury, is expected to play Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. The seventh-year back out of South Carolina has been sidelined since Week 2, including missing Pittsburgh's matchup against the Colts.

Why it matters: Dowdle's return bolsters the ground game for a 4-4 Steelers squad looking to move above .500 against a 3-5 Buccaneers team. Both clubs enter Sunday's contest coming off wins.

By the numbers: Pittsburgh enters at 4-4, averaging 20.8 points scored and 20.4 points allowed per game, while Tampa Bay sits at 3-5, averaging 17.5 points scored and 20.2 allowed.

What to watch: Official game-day inactives will be released 90 minutes prior to kickoff in Tampa Bay.

Sources

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NFLInjuryPittsburgh SteelersTampa Bay BuccaneersRico Dowdle
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